Indian fisherfolk protest arrests of 22 fishermen off North-East

by Rukshana
Jun 24, 2024

Fishermen in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, have initiated a day-long strike demanding the release of 22 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. The detainees are accused of trespassing in waters near Jaffna.

The arrests occurred after the lifting of a 61-day annual fishing ban, when approximately 5,000 fishermen set out to sea in 507 boats. Over the weekend, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 22 of these fishermen near Delft Island, alleging they were poaching in territorial waters. Three Indian trawlers were also seized during the arrest.

Some of the Fishermen who were detained

This recent detention brings the total number of seized Indian trawlers to 27, with 204 Indian fishermen now in custody and facing legal proceedings.

The situation has heightened tensions in the region. Last week, Tamil fishermen in North-East Sri Lanka protested outside the Indian consulate in Jaffna, urging the Indian government to prevent their fishermen from entering Sri Lankan waters. They argue that the presence of Indian fishermen threatens their livelihood. 

In the past, fishermen in Mullaitivu have criticized Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, who leads the government-aligned EPDP paramilitary group, for failing to prevent Indian fishermen from poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Devananda responded that the Sri Lankan Navy would take action to curb illegal fishing from India.

This ongoing issue highlights the complex fishing rights dispute between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait region. Previously, the Sri Lankan government made efforts to "empower" fishermen communities through an aid programme yet since the end of the armed conflict, Tamil fishing communities have been continuously restricted in the North-East. Tamil Nadu fishermen have been abused and some extrajudicially killed under the Sri Lankan Navy's detention.

On a recent visit by India’s External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar to Sri Lanka, officials in the country failed to bring up the issue of poaching by Indian fishermen. Previously, Tamil politicians including TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam criticised the Sri Lankan government for allowing Indian boats and trawlers entry into the island's territorial waters. Yet, when Tamil members of Parliament in Sri Lanka met Jaishankar, there was no discussion regarding the escalating fishing tensions in the Palk Strait region.

 

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