Even as political parties continue to promise protecting the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen as the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls are under way in the State, 11 fishermen from Rameswaram were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday.
Madurai:
According to E Kathavarayan, Regional Joint Director of Fisheries, Ramanathapuram, the fishermen who went on two mechanised boats were scheduled to return on Sunday. “The Department of Fisheries is aware of the apprehension by the Lankan Navy. The issue was taken to the attention of State and Central governments to ensure their release at the earliest,” he said.
NJ Bose, State secretary of Tamizhaga Visaipadagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, said the Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen on Saturday night. He alleged that despite such apprehensions by the neighbouring nation’s Navy recurring, the State government remained indifferent to the issue, and failed to take any steps to prevent it. According to him, this was the sixth such arrest made by the Lankan Navy this year.
Over the last three years, 167 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu were seized by the navy, which has taken these boats to Sri Lanka where it is kept under government custody. Of these, only 30 were brought back to Tamil Nadu. The rest, Bose added, could not be brought back as they were not seaworthy to sail across the sea.
He also warned all the political parties that the recurring issue would definitely reflect in the Lok Sabha polls. It could force the fishermen to even consider boycotting the ensuing polls, he added. PMK, which is part of the AIADMK-led alliance that includes Centre-ruling BJP, condemned the arrest of fishermen and added that efforts should be taken to ensure their early release.
The fishermen, who ventured into the sea in the early hours of Saturday, were arrested for allegedly illegally fishing in Lankan waters after crossing International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
According to E Kathavarayan, Regional Joint Director of Fisheries, Ramanathapuram, the fishermen who went on two mechanised boats were scheduled to return on Sunday. “The Department of Fisheries is aware of the apprehension by the Lankan Navy. The issue was taken to the attention of State and Central governments to ensure their release at the earliest,” he said.
NJ Bose, State secretary of Tamizhaga Visaipadagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, said the Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen on Saturday night. He alleged that despite such apprehensions by the neighbouring nation’s Navy recurring, the State government remained indifferent to the issue, and failed to take any steps to prevent it. According to him, this was the sixth such arrest made by the Lankan Navy this year.
Over the last three years, 167 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu were seized by the navy, which has taken these boats to Sri Lanka where it is kept under government custody. Of these, only 30 were brought back to Tamil Nadu. The rest, Bose added, could not be brought back as they were not seaworthy to sail across the sea.
He also warned all the political parties that the recurring issue would definitely reflect in the Lok Sabha polls. It could force the fishermen to even consider boycotting the ensuing polls, he added. PMK, which is part of the AIADMK-led alliance that includes Centre-ruling BJP, condemned the arrest of fishermen and added that efforts should be taken to ensure their early release.
ARREST IN 2019
January 8: Four Tamil Nadu fishermen from Kottaipattinam in Pudukkottai were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing off Neduntheevu
February 9: Seven fishermen from Nagapattinam were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and taken to Trincomalee
February 20: Nine fishermen from Jegadapattinam in Pudukkottai district who ventured into the sea on two boats and were fishing near Neduntheevu were detained
February 21: Five more fishermen from Jegadapattinam in Pudukkottai district were arrested and taken to Kangesanthurai port
February 22: Another five fishermen from Mandapam who were fishing near Neduntheevu were arrested and taken to Talaimannar camp