Sri Lankan Navy Detains Eight Indian Fishermen, Seizes Two Boats

Ramanathapuram

The Sri Lankan Navy detained eight Indian fishermen and seized two boats off the coast of Ramanathapuram on Sunday morning. The fishermen, hailing from Ramanathapuram, were reportedly fishing in the Palk Bay area when the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted them, claiming that they had crossed into Sri Lankan waters. The apprehended fishermen, identified as Mangadu Bhatrappan (55), Reddayurani Kannan (52), Chinna Reddayurani Muthuraj (55), Agasthiyar Kutam Kali (50), Thangachimad Yasin (46), Jesus, Uchipulli Ramakrishnan, and Velu, were taken to the Kangesanturai Naval Camp in Sri Lanka for questioning. According to the Mandapam Fishermen Association, the fishermen had set out from Mandapam on December 7 in their mechanized boats, which were identified as IND TN 11 MM 81 and IND TN 11 MM 231. They were fishing near Delft Island when the Sri Lankan Navy arrived and captured the boats, accusing them of entering the restricted area. The Sri Lankan authorities are expected to hand over the detained fishermen and boats to the Jaffna Fisheries Department after their investigation. This incident has raised concerns in the Indian fishing community, especially in Tamil Nadu, where the issue of Indian fishermen being detained by Sri Lankan forces has been ongoing. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has repeatedly called for diplomatic action to resolve the issue, citing the distress it causes to coastal communities. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has assured that efforts are being made through the Indian High Commission in Colombo to secure the fishermen’s release.