Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Dec 28: Three fishermen from Mandapam in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Sunday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing near the Katchatheevu region.

Official sources said the fishermen had set out for routine fishing operations in the Palk Strait when their mechanised boat was intercepted by Sri Lankan naval personnel. The navy claimed that the vessel had entered Sri Lankan territorial waters during the fishing activity.

Following their detention, the fishermen, along with their seized boat, were taken to the Kankesanthurai naval camp in northern Sri Lanka, where they are being held for further inquiry.

The incident has caused renewed concern among fishing communities in Ramanathapuram and nearby coastal areas, where livelihoods are heavily dependent on marine fishing. Families fear the recurring arrests are putting both economic stability and personal safety at risk.

Leaders of fishermen’s associations noted that such detentions have increased in recent months, despite long-standing appeals for a diplomatic and humanitarian resolution to the cross-border fishing issue.

The latest case follows a similar incident in which ten fishermen from the same district were arrested recently. In response, Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin had written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking swift diplomatic intervention to secure the release of the detained fishermen and the return of their confiscated boats.

In his communication, the chief minister expressed deep concern over the continued arrests and alleged harassment by the Sri Lankan Navy. He emphasised that fishing in the Palk Bay region has been a traditional practice for generations and that fishermen often cross maritime boundaries unknowingly due to the lack of visible demarcation at sea.

CM Stalin urged the Union government to raise the issue with Sri Lanka at the highest level and work towards a permanent solution that protects fishermen’s rights and livelihoods. He also pointed out that several Tamil Nadu fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody from earlier incidents and called for their immediate release.

Fishermen’s groups have echoed these demands, warning that repeated arrests, extended detentions and financial penalties have pushed coastal communities into severe hardship. They have appealed to both state and central authorities to intensify diplomatic efforts and ensure long-term safety for Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay.

The fresh detentions have once again highlighted the long-standing and sensitive nature of the India–Sri Lanka fishing dispute, underlining the urgent need for a sustainable bilateral resolution.