Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sounded the alarm on the apprehension of 27 Indian fishermen and the seizure of four fishing boats by Sri Lanka. Describing the situation as a “grave concern affecting lives and livelihoods,” Stalin, in his impassioned letter, highlighted the arrest of 23 fishermen from Rameshwaram and the seizure of boats for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Stalin emphasized the profound economic implications of these arrests, noting that they not only result in the loss of income for the fishermen and their families but also jeopardize the food security of countless individuals who depend on their catch. The chief minister underscored the fear instilled in fishing communities along the coastline and urgently requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic steps with the Sri Lankan government to secure the release of the detained fisherfolk.
The appeal comes on the heels of a protest by members of the Fishermen Association of Rameshwaram, demanding the immediate release of the 27 fishermen and five boats allegedly captured by the Sri Lankan Navy. The situation remains tense as over 400 fishermen from Rameswaram took to the sea on October 14th, only to have 27 of their counterparts detained and handed over to maritime inspectors for further legal action. The fishermen, in their fervent demand for government intervention, await a swift resolution to this escalating maritime crisis.
