Sri Lankan Navy Arrests 22 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Near Neduntheevu

The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for fishing near Neduntheevu in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Rameswaram Fisherman Association. Several fishermen had gone to sea from Tamil Nadu on Saturday. While fishing near Nedundeevu in the Palkbay Sea area, the Sri Lankan Navy seized three boats belonging to fishermen from Thangachimadam.

Earlier, on June 19, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter to Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to secure the immediate release of all fishermen and their boats apprehended by Sri Lanka. The Chief Minister highlighted that four fishermen from Kottaipattinam fishing harbour in Pudukottai District were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. He emphasized that such incidents disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen and create a sense of fear and uncertainty among the fishing community.

In April, 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were sent back to Chennai on an Air India flight from Colombo after being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 6 for crossing the border. The 19 fishermen included nine from Mayiladuthurai, four from Pudukottai, and six from Karaikal in Puducherry state. The families of the fishermen had requested the central and state governments to take action for their release.