41 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy return to Chennai Airport
41 Indian Fishermen Released by Sri Lankan Navy Arrive in Chennai
On January 22, a group of 41 Indian fishermen, who were previously arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, returned to Chennai Airport. These fishermen will now be sent back to their home districts. Among them, 35 were from Ramanathapuram district and were detained near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing activities.
Earlier, on January 16, another group of 15 Indian fishermen, also detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, were released and returned to Chennai. These arrests happened in separate incidents in 2024, with eight fishermen detained near Mannar Island on September 27, and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11. Their release was secured through the efforts of the Union and Tamil Nadu governments, with the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department ensuring their safe return.
In a related event on January 5, the Indian Coast Guard facilitated the repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen and four fishing boats from Bangladesh. This exchange, conducted with the Bangladesh Coast Guard, also saw the return of 90 Bangladeshi fishermen, including 12 rescued from a sunken boat, at South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
Recent months have seen many fishermen from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh detained for crossing international maritime boundaries. Officials emphasize the need for ongoing diplomatic efforts to address these issues and protect fishermen's livelihoods. Initiatives by the Indian government and international coordination have expedited repatriation processes, providing relief to affected families. In December, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take diplomatic steps to secure the release of detained fishermen and their boats from Sri Lankan custody.
Doubts Revealed
Sri Lankan Navy
The Sri Lankan Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of Sri Lanka. They are responsible for protecting the waters around Sri Lanka.
Chennai
Chennai is a big city in India, located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Ramanathapuram district
Ramanathapuram is a district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located near the coast, which is why many people there are fishermen.
Cross-border fishing
Cross-border fishing happens when fishermen accidentally or intentionally fish in the waters of another country. This can lead to them being arrested if they are caught.
Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard is a part of India's defense forces. They help protect India's maritime interests and assist in rescue operations at sea.
Repatriated
Repatriated means sending someone back to their own country. In this context, it means the fishermen were sent back to India from Bangladesh.
Diplomatic efforts
Diplomatic efforts are actions taken by countries to solve problems through discussion and negotiation, rather than conflict. Here, it means India is talking with other countries to solve the issue of fishermen being detained.
Maritime boundaries
Maritime boundaries are invisible lines in the sea that separate the waters of different countries. Crossing these lines without permission can lead to legal issues.
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