Chennai, Nov 3 – A fresh dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Bay erupted when 35 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy early Monday. The men crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entered Sri Lankan waters, according to the Navy.
Naval patrol boats spotted three mechanised fishing vessels off Sri Lanka’s northern coast. The Navy seized the boats and all their gear. Of the 35 sailors, 31 come from Nagapattinam district and had set out from Akkaraipettai and Thopputhurai harbours late Sunday. The rest, four fishermen from Ramanathapuram district, were caught fishing in deep water.
The arrested fishermen were flown to Kankesanthurai port in northern Sri Lanka for questioning. Once all paperwork is filed, a local court will hear the case. The seized boats and equipment are now with the fisheries department in Jaffna for further legal action.
The arrests have rattled fishing communities in Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram. Families are calling on the Tamil Nadu and Union governments to step in quickly to secure their loved ones’ release. Fishermen’s unions have said the arrests are part of a pattern, urging New Delhi and Colombo to restart talks and find a lasting, humane solution to the maritime boundary issue.
Unions point out that rough seas and weak navigation aids often push boats near the IMBL, creating accidental crossings. They demand the Centre accelerate efforts to recover the fishermen, their boats, and push for clear fishing rights and joint patrolling.
This latest incident marks the third major arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities in recent months, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the long‑standing fishing rights dispute in the Palk Bay.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
