Chennai, Oct 16: In a concerning development, 15 fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu island on Sunday morning. The fishermen had set out for a night of fishing in two boats when they were arrested for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.
The Sri Lankan Navy impounded the boats and transported the fishermen to Sri Lanka, sparking condemnation from PMK President and former Union Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss. Dr. Ramadoss decried the arrest as an affront to India’s sovereignty and urged the Centre to take decisive action. He highlighted the pattern of such arrests, suggesting a sinister design to hinder Tamil Nadu fishermen from their traditional fishing grounds in the Bay of Bengal.
Dr. Anbumani, also a Rajya Sabha MP, emphasized the economic impact on fishermen who face dual threats—unidentified sea pirates and arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy. He called on the Union Government to secure the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen, urging a stern warning to Sri Lanka against such arrests. The plea included calls for the immediate release of the detained fishermen and the return of all impounded boats held by the Sri Lankan Navy.
