Mass protests in Rameshwaram over Sri Lanka's arrests of Indian fishermen

by Rukshana
Jul 25, 2024

A massive protest was held by fishermen from Rameshwaram and neighboring districts in Tamil Nadu last week over the arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.

The protestors condemned the Indian central government for not looking into these arrests, with several political parties also joining the protests to show their solidarity with the cause. 

The protestors are demanding that the Sri Lankan government release 74 Tamil fishermen who were detained in the last few months. Rameshwaram's fisherfolk take to the streets, demanding the release of fishermen apprehended by Sri Lanka. They also demanded that the Sri Lankan government release six fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment in Sri Lanka. 

Earlier last week, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 13 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized three boats near the Delft Islands. The Sri Lankan Navy seized a total of 35 Indian trawlers and 252 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters in 2024 and subsequently handed them over to authorities for legal proceedings.

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