February 27th 2025.
The fishing community in Tamil Nadu received some much-needed relief today as 27 fishermen who had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, finally returned home. The men, who hail from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam, were greeted at the Chennai International Airport by officials from the Tamil Nadu fisheries department. After a warm welcome, they were then taken to their homes in vehicles arranged by the department. It was a heartwarming sight to see these fishermen reunited with their families after being away for so long.
The released fishermen had been arrested on different occasions, according to officials from the Tamil Nadu fisheries department. This incident sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by fishermen in the region, who often find themselves at the mercy of the Sri Lankan Navy. In fact, just a few days ago, a group of fishermen in Rameswaram had launched an indefinite strike, demanding the immediate release of their colleagues who had been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.
As part of the protest, 700 mechanised boat fishermen had decided to suspend operations, keeping their vessels docked along the shore. This move was expected to result in a daily loss of approximately Rs one crore, affecting over 10,000 workers in the fishing industry. A meeting was held on Sunday at the Rameswaram fishing harbour, where leaders of fishermen's associations unanimously decided to halt fishing activities until the detained fishermen were released.
The detained fishermen are not only facing challenges at sea, but their families are also suffering financially due to their absence. The families are often forced to pay hefty fines imposed by Sri Lankan authorities to secure the release of their loved ones. This has caused a great deal of stress and uncertainty for the families, as well as for the fishermen who fear further arrests and boat seizures.
In response to these ongoing detentions and boat confiscations, fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu are gearing up for large-scale protests. Antony John, a leader of one such association, has stated that they are planning protests in all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu to demand immediate action from the government. He emphasized the need for the Union government to intervene and secure the release of all detained fishermen, as well as to establish a bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka to resolve the issue.
Fishermen's associations have also reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take swift diplomatic action to prevent mid-sea arrests and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities. Rajagopal C.M., a leader from Thangachimadam, expressed his disappointment with the government's lack of action in this matter. He highlighted the financial struggles faced by the families of detained fishermen and the impact of boat confiscations on their ability to earn a living.
In the midst of all this, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has stepped in, urging the Central government to convene a Joint Working Group to find a permanent solution. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM Stalin expressed his concern over the recent detention of 32 Indian fishermen and five boats by the Sri Lankan Navy. He also stressed the need for strong diplomatic measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The Chief Minister highlighted the alarming rate at which Tamil Nadu fishermen are being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, with a total of 119 fishermen and 16 boats detained since January 2025. He urged the Central government to take immediate action and ensure the safety and security of Tamil fishermen. It is high time for the government to address this pressing issue and take necessary steps to protect the livelihoods of these fishermen and their families.
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