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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sri Lankan court extends judicial custody of 14 Indian fishermen
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Sri Lankan court has extended the custody of 14 Indian fishermen arrested earlier this month for alleged IMBL violations till August 25 and September 1, respectively. Fishermen associations in Rameswaram have announced a rail roko protest on Tuesday, condemning the arrests. Official sources said, 10 fishermen from Pamban were arrested by the Lankan Navy on August 6 for crossing the IMBL. Their custody has been extended for the second time, and they have been lodged in a special camp. Similarly, the custody of four fishermen from Thirupalaikudi, who were arrested on the same day, has been extended for the third time until September 1. They are currently lodged in Jaffna Prison. Meanwhile, fishermen in Rameswaram and Thangachimadam have been on an indefinite strike since August 11, condemning the arrests. As part of the ongoing protest, they had earlier announced plans for a rail roko in Rameswaram on August 19. On Monday, a team led by the Tahsildar held talks with the fishermen, but the discussions failed to yield a breakthrough. The fishermen's associations later reaffirmed that the rail roko would go ahead on Tuesday evening. It may be recalled that the protesting fishermen had earlier staged a demonstration in Thangachimadam on August 13, followed by a hunger strike on August 15, pressing their demands for the release of the detained fishers.
New Indian Express
11-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
7K Rameswaram fishers to go on indefinite strike from today, fast on I-Day
RAMANATHAPURAM: A day after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested seven Tamil fishermen hailing from Ramanathapuram district for alleged violation of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), Rameswaram fishermen associations on Sunday announced a series of protests, including an indefinite strike from Monday and a hunger strike on Independence Day, demanding the union government to take action to address their long-pending issues. After holding a meeting in Rameswaram on Sunday, they announced that over 7,000 fishermen will take part in the indefinite strike, with over 700 boats staying ashore. The fishermen will also stage a protest at Thangachimadam in Rameswaram, on August 13, ahead of the hunger strike on August 15. 'If the centre fails to address our issues by then, fishermen will stage an indefinite rail roko in Rameswaram on August 19 (evening hours),' the association said. In the wake of the continued arrests of fishermen, the associations demanded the union government to host bilateral talks with the SL government to retrieve the fishing rights near Katchatheevu island, and urged to secure the release of the Indian fishing boats confiscated by the SL Nnavy over the years. For those boats which could not be salvaged, the centre should provide relief, they added. According to R Jesu Raj, a fishermen association leader from Rameswaram, as many as 61 Indian fishermen have been arrested by the SL navy for alleged IMBL violation since June 15 (when the annual 61-day fishing ban ended), this year. Stating that all the arrested fishers have not been released yet, Jesu Raj urged the centre to take action to ensure the release of all Indian fishermen in SL prisons. Fishermen association leader R Sagayam said, 'If our issues cannot be addressed, then the centre should buy our boats and provide us with financial aid, so that we can give up fishing and search for other jobs.'
Hans India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Rameswaram fishermen to launch series of protest, hunger strike on Aug 15 over Sri Lankan Navy arrests
After the arrest of eight Rameswaram fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, the Rameswaram All Fishermen's Association, on Sunday, announced a series of protests, culminating in a hunger strike on August 15, India's Independence Day. The fishermen were accused of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and were detained along with their boats -- an issue that has plagued the coastal community for years, threatening livelihoods and sparking repeated diplomatic tensions. The association, in an emergency meeting, passed a resolution demanding the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and the seized boats. "These arrests are destroying our lives. Fishing is our only livelihood, and the constant threat from the Sri Lankan Navy has made our existence uncertain," a representative of the association said. Outlining their protest schedule, the association said that an indefinite strike will begin on August 11. This will be followed by a demonstration near the Thangachimadam Valasai Bus Stand on August 13. On August 19, fishermen plan to hold a rail blockade at 3 p.m. to press their demands. The protests are intended to draw national attention to the continuing arrests and seizures in the Palk Bay region. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also raised the matter with the Centre. In a recent letter to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Chief Minister Stalin urged urgent diplomatic intervention to put an end to the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen. He said that on August 6, 14 fishermen from the state, along with their boats, were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. "This was the 17th such incident this year," CM Stalin wrote, noting that 237 boats and 80 fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody. He stressed that losing boats not only deprives fishermen of their only means of income but also strips them of their right to fish in traditional waters -- a right the fishing community has exercised for generations. Fishermen's associations have long demanded a lasting bilateral solution to the dispute, including measures to prevent arrests, ensure the return of boats, and safeguard traditional fishing rights. Until such an agreement is reached, they say, the community will continue to suffer repeated disruptions to its livelihood.
New Indian Express
10-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Seven Indian fishers arrested by Sri Lankan navy for IMBL violation, boat seized
RAMANATHAPURAM: A patrol unit of the Sri Lankan navy seized a boat and arrested seven fishermen – all hailing from Thangachimadam in Rameswaram –- for allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on Saturday afternoon. Following the arrest, over 100 fishermen, including the family members of the arrested, staged a road blockade protest on Rameswaram-Madurai national highway near Thangachimadam. The seven fishermen -- A Dullas (56), D Slydon (26), J Arul Robert (53), S Loyolan (45), K Arokiya Sonrin (20), A Baskar (45) and R Jesu Raja (32) -- have been taken to Mannar port in Sri Lanka for further legal proceedings. Sources said the fishermen, along with over 300 other vessels, had ventured into the sea from Thangachimadam port earlier on Saturday. While fishing near the IMBL, the boat allegedly entered the Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu. A patrol unit of the Lankan navy caught the boat – owned by Irudhaya Douglas – and arrested the seven on board the vessel. The details of the fishermen have been sent to the Tamil Nadu fisheries department, added arrest sparked the fishermen community to stage a protest, which went on till Saturday evening near Thangachimadam. The tourist footfall was high as it was a weekend, and the protest resulted in a tailback for a five-kilometre stretch in the highway. The protesters demanded the release of all the fishermen who have been arrested so far by the island nation. After officials assured them of action, the protesting fishermen disbursed late in the evening. Sagayam, leader of a fishermen association, condemned the continued arrests of Indian fishermen by the SL navy and urged the union government to take action to address the persisting issues. Notably, since the annual fishing ban was lifted on June 15, as many as 61 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly violating the IMBL, and all of them belong to Ramanathapuram district.
The Hindu
08-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Fishermen federation opposes ‘handing over' of marine resources to corporates
During the fourth all-India conference of the All-India Fisheries and Fish Workers Welfare Association (AIFFWF) here on August 6 and 7, a unanimous was decision to pressure the BJP government at the Centre to withdraw laws that paved the way to hand over the sea and coast, belonging to fisherfolk community, to corporate capitalists. A. Hemalata, All India CITU president, addressing the cadre, said, by formulating policies in line with the interests of the corporates, the government had allowed the exploitation of natural gas and mineral resources within Indian waters, destroying marine wealth. 'This, in addition to destroying the natural resources, will seriously affect the fisherfolk community dependent on the sea and its resources,' she added. Speaking about frequent and continuous arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy for alleged charges of crossing International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), she said the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, should make efforts to bring a permanent solution between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen. G. Sukumaran, CITU State Secretary, said the financial assistance provided to fishermen should be increased. 'In cases when fishermen die while fishing, financial aid granted by both the State and Union government should be enhanced for the benefit of families,' he said. Not just the arrests by neighbouring countries, but and also to safeguard their fishermen's over marine resources, a law should be formulated to protect their fishing rights, he said. 'As most of India's exports are from the fishing sector, only by creating a separate Ministry for fishing and its related issues, can the trade could be improved,' he observed. The new national office-bearers were also elected at the conference. Ekram Hussein was elected as President, Pulluvila Stanley as General Secretary, and Mamta as Treasurer.
