THOOTHUKUDI, India, October 13 (ANI) — Fisherman Sudarshan has urged the Indian government to take immediate steps to secure the release of 25 fishermen from Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, and their three fishing boats, which were detained by the Maldives Coast Guard while they were engaged in deep-sea fishing.
Speaking about the incident, Sudarshan said the fishermen were engaged in gillnet fishing from Tharuvaikulam.
“On October 1, 25 fishermen set out for deep-sea fishing in three mechanized boats to catch tuna,” he said.
The Maldives Coast Guard detained all 25 fishermen and their three boats, alleging that they had crossed the maritime boundary and engaged in fishing. Sudarshan said strong winds and sea currents had caused the boats to enter Maldivian waters.
“We have been engaged in fishing since our childhood and struggle hard to sustain our families through this occupation. The detention of the fishermen has caused significant losses and hardship for us. Therefore, I appeal to the Prime Minister of India to intervene immediately and take appropriate steps to ensure the safe release of all 25 detained fishermen and the return of their three fishing boats,” Sudarshan, the brother of one of the detained fishermen, told ANI.
Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended nine fishermen from Rameswaram, along with their fishing boat, near Neduntheevu after alleging that the vessel had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line. The incident triggered concern among fishermen in the coastal town.
According to officials, fewer than 400 boats had departed from the Rameswaram fishing port that Saturday. Later in the evening, the Sri Lankan Navy detained nine fishermen who were fishing near Neduntheevu, along with their vessel.
The latest arrests have raised concerns among the Rameswaram fishing community, with fishermen’s representatives calling for immediate intervention by the central and Tamil Nadu governments.
Karalmarks, president of the Fisherman Association, said the fishermen had gone to sea after obtaining the required permits from the Rameswaram token office and strongly condemned their arrest.
“Today, nine fishermen and one boat, who had set out to sea after securing pass permits at the Rameswaram token office, were arrested by the Sri Lankan government. This is something that must be strongly condemned. It’s unclear what the central and state governments are even doing,” Karalmarks said.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by fishing families, the association president called for talks between fishermen from both countries to establish a lasting arrangement that would allow them to earn their livelihoods without repeated arrests. (ANI)
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