Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Mar 4: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has urged the Union government to take urgent action to protect Tamil fishermen from repeated arrests, mid-sea attacks, and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter to the Centre on Monday, Stalin highlighted that over the past decade under the BJP-led government, 3,656 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested, 613 boats seized, and 736 attacks recorded. He emphasized that only the central government can provide a long-term resolution to this crisis.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that bilateral talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, last held in 2010, have not resumed. Despite repeated assurances from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, no significant diplomatic progress has been made.

Since February 24, fishermen in Rameswaram have been on an indefinite strike, demanding the release of their colleagues detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. As a mark of protest, 700 mechanised boat fishermen have halted operations, leaving their boats docked. The ongoing strike is expected to result in daily losses of approximately ?1 crore, affecting over 10,000 workers in the fishing industry.

At a meeting held at the Rameswaram fishing harbour, fishermen’s associations unanimously resolved to continue the strike until their demands are met. VP Sesuraja, president of the Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, revealed that Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested four times this month alone, with a total of 119 fishermen and 16 boats seized since the beginning of 2025.

Sesuraja further noted that detained fishermen's families face severe financial distress due to the hefty fines imposed by Sri Lankan authorities for their release. Many fishermen now fear venturing into the sea, worried about potential arrests and the permanent confiscation of their boats.

Fishermen’s associations across Tamil Nadu are gearing up for large-scale protests against the continued detentions. Antony John, a leader of one such association, stated that a date would soon be finalized for demonstrations across all coastal districts. He stressed the need for the Union government to intervene immediately, secure the release of all detained fishermen, retrieve impounded boats, and establish a diplomatic resolution with Sri Lanka.

Additionally, fishermen’s representatives have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging swift diplomatic action to prevent further mid-sea arrests and safeguard their livelihoods. Rajagopal CM, a fishermen’s leader from Thangachimadam, criticized the government's inaction, pointing out that many detained fishermen remain imprisoned in Sri Lanka, leaving their families struggling financially. He added that since 2018, approximately 270 trawlers have been impounded, severely impacting the fishing community’s survival.

Chief Minister Stalin has appealed to the Centre to convene a Joint Working Group to find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis. He also urged the Union government to push for the repeal of Sri Lanka’s 2018 Fishermen Act, which restricts foreign fishing activities, and to ensure that Tamil Nadu fishermen’s rights in the Katchatheevu region are safeguarded.

With tensions escalating, the fishing community is looking to the central government for urgent intervention to protect their livelihoods and ensure their safety at sea.