Protest in Tamil Nadu slams Sri Lankan navy across the Palk Strait

by Ephraim
Oct 23, 2023

A protest condemning the action of the Sri Lanka navy and demanding the immediate release of detained Tamil Nadu fishermen was staged in Rameshwaram last week.

The demonstration was organised by the families of the affected fisherfolk and fishing unions, following yet another arrest of Indian fishermen and the seizure of their vessels.

The protest took place in front of the Rameshwaram-Madurai highway and saw the participation of hundreds of individuals who have been directly affected by the ongoing arrests by the Sri Lankan navy. The primary demand of the protestors was the swift release of the fishermen and the seized boats, which had been apprehended last week.

The Sri Lankan navy reported that it had carried out "special operations" resulting in the arrests of 27 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and the seizure of five trawlers in Jaffna and Mannar. The question of the fishing rights of fisherfolk from Tamil Nadu has been a constant thorn in the relations between Colombo and Chennai. 

According to the navy, the operation to apprehend the 15 Indian fishermen aboard two trawlers was executed by the North Central Naval Command off Mannar, while the Northern Naval Command seized three Indian trawlers with 12 Indian fishermen near the Delft and Kachchativu Islands.Read more:

Sri Lankan navy arrests more Indian fishermen in ‘special operations’

21 Tamil Nadu fishermen sentenced to 5 years in jail by Sri Lankan courts

Tamil Nadu fisherfolk sentenced to 14 months in prison in Sri Lanka

The protestors strongly condemned the actions of both the Sri Lankan navy and the Sri Lankan government. The protesters voiced their demands, which include the return of Katchatheevu to Indian control, the restoration of fishing rights around the Katchatheevu area, compensation for the damages inflicted on the fishing vessels by the Sri Lankan navy, and the release of hundreds of boats under Sri Lankan detention.

Representatives from various fishing unions engaged in discussions with Indian officials following the protest, who reportedly pledged that the arrested fishermen and their boats will be released later this month. However, the fishing union representatives have made it clear that if this promise is not kept, they will initiate further protests, with the participation of fishing unions from Tamil Nadu, further intensifying their demands for justice

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