Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called on India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take quick diplomatic action to free Tamil Nadu fishermen held by the Sri Lankan Navy. This plea comes amidst ongoing tensions in the Palk Strait. In a letter, Chief Minister Stalin expressed worry over the recent detention of 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, stating that these repeated arrests are causing significant distress for coastal communities that rely on fishing for their income. He highlighted that the total number of Tamil Nadu fishermen now in Sri Lankan custody has reached 116. Additionally, he mentioned that 259 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen are still held by Sri Lankan authorities, describing this situation as alarming and unsustainable for those who depend on daily earnings from fishing. The latest incident took place on the night of February 22, when a mechanized fishing boat from the Pamban Fish Landing Centre in Ramanathapuram district was stopped by the Sri Lankan Navy. The 12 fishermen aboard were detained, and their boat was confiscated. Stalin noted that these incidents have continued despite the state government's repeated appeals and emphasized the need for urgent and ongoing diplomatic discussions between India and Sri Lanka to prevent further detentions and ensure the safety of Indian fishermen. Official sources reported that the fishermen were caught while fishing in the Gulf of Mannar, specifically in the waters between Dhanushkodi and Thalaimannar. The issue of cross-border fishing disputes in the Palk Strait has been a long-standing cause of tension between India and Sri Lanka, often impacting bilateral relations and the livelihoods of many Tamil Nadu fishermen.
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