Hundreds of fishermen from Tamil Nadu staged a roadblock on the Pamban bridge in Rameshwaram, demanding the immediate release of 23 local fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. This protest, amidst growing tensions, was coupled with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s written request to the Indian central government to intervene and curb the recurring arrests of Tamil fishermen.
The arrests, which took place on November 9, according to the Sri Lankan Navy saw the seizer of two mechanized boats and an unregistered vessel along with the detained fishermen. Protesters voiced their frustrations over the financial burdens these detentions impose. “We fishermen earn only about ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 daily,” said L Sagayam, a representative from the mechanized boats’ association. “But the Sri Lankan government imposes fines we cannot afford. How will we pay such a massive amount?” a family member was quoted as saying in the Indian press.
The demonstration brought attention to the wider issue affecting Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities, who have faced regular detentions by Sri Lankan authorities, disrupting livelihoods and creating hardship for families. J Nandini, a relative of one of the detained fishermen, said, “Some of our fishermen have been languishing in Sri Lankan jails for three months without any action from the authorities to secure their release.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sought intervention from India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, underscoring the distress these incidents cause Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities. “These arrests not only disrupt livelihoods but also cause immense distress to their families,” Stalin wrote. He urged the central government to facilitate diplomatic efforts for an immediate solution.
The recent detentions include an incident on November 12, where the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 12 additional fishermen from Nagapattinam. According to Stalin, this year has seen the highest frequency of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrests in seven years. Since mid-June, at least 50 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, sparking widespread protests in the region.
To address these issues, Tamil Nadu has repeatedly advocated for the reactivation of a Joint Working Group, initially proposed in 2016 between India and Sri Lanka. This group was set to discuss coordinated measures such as cross-border patrols, grievance resolution, and investigations into fishermen's detentions. Despite initial discussions in Delhi in December 2016, the Joint Working Group has made limited progress.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy continues regular patrols along its waters, citing the need to protect local fishing grounds from environmental damage and foreign fishing vessels. According to the Navy, a total of 497 Indian fishermen and 66 boats have been detained this year alone.
