Sri Lanka arrests 27 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in its waters. However, the arrests come amid a long-standing dispute between the two countries over fishing rights.
On Sunday, the Sri Lankan navy arrested 27 Indian fishermen and took five of their boats. They are accused of fishing in Sri Lankan waters near Mannar, Delft, and Kachchativu Islands. These fishermen are from Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
In response, fishermen in Ramanathapuram have started an indefinite strike. This has stopped around 7,000 fishermen from working. They plan to hold a demonstration on Wednesday to highlight their urgent demands.
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, L Murugan, promised to find a diplomatic solution. However, he asked the fishermen to end their strike, saying it would affect around 15,000 people in the region.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take diplomatic steps to free the Indian fishermen. He expressed concern about the fear these repeated arrests cause in fishing communities along the coast. This not only affects the income of fishermen and their families but also endangers the food supply of many who rely on their catch.
Over the past few decades, more than 600 Indian fishermen have been killed by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly fishing in their waters. While the killing has reduced in recent years, Sri Lanka no longer returns seized boats, causing problems for fishermen’s livelihoods.
In 2023, the Sri Lankan Navy has seized 22 boats and arrested 137 Indian fishermen. It’s believed that Indian fishermen enter Sri Lankan waters because there are fewer fish in Indian waters.
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What Could Be A Solution?
Tamil Nadu has proposed two solutions. One is to take back the Katchatheevu island, which India gave to Sri Lanka in the 1970s. They argue this would give fishermen a larger area to fish and change the international boundary. The state also suggests a long-term lease agreement with Sri Lanka to secure legal fishing rights for Indian fishermen.
The arrests of the Indian fishermen have come at a time when relations between the two countries are already strained. India has been critical of Sri Lanka’s close ties to China, and there have been concerns about China’s growing military presence in the region.