Blitz Bureau
THE Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, accusing them of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing near Neduntheevu. According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, the fishermen were detained on October 27 and taken to a Sri Lankan naval camp for questioning.
The Sri Lankan Navy also seized their mechanised boat and fishing equipment. Since June 16, the Sri Lankan Navy has detained 425 fishermen from the state and impounded 58 boats.
Approximately 110 fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody. On October 23, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 16 Tamil fishermen from Rameswaram, sparking widespread protests in the state.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has personally written to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging him to intervene and secure the release of the fishermen and their boats. Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK, AIADMK, and PMK, have been raising concerns about the difficulties Tamil fishermen face due to actions by the Sri Lankan Navy.
