Protest in Rameswaram erupts over arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan navy

Fishermen in Thangachimadam village, Rameswaram protested and demanded the immediate release of fishermen and boats seized in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan navy arrested 15 of the fishermen and their 2 boats, who went to sea from Rameswaram on 5^th November. Following the arrest, the fishermen of Rameswaram went on strike and protested against the arrest while criticising the Sri Lankan navy for the arrest.  They condemned the central and state governments for not taking any action to stop the illegal activities of the Sri Lankan Navy and also demanded from government to fulfil their demands.

A demonstration was led by All Fishermen’s Union Secretary Jesuraj where they raised slogans demanding the immediate release of fishermen and boats seized in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile Tamil Nadu chief minister M. K Stalin also wrote to EAM S. Jaishankar to take immediate action to get the fishermen and their boats released.

Sri Lankan navy conducted operations in seas north of Talaimannar to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters. The operations resulted in the apprehension of the 02 Indian trawlers with 15 Indian fishermen.

“As an extension of these efforts, the North Central Naval Command mounted a special operation this evening, having spotted a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters, in seas north of Talaimannar. Thus, two (02) Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) attached to the Northern Naval Command were deployed for this operation and it led to the seizure of 02 Indian poaching trawlers that continued to remain in the island’s waters, with 15 Indian fishers,” read a statement from Sri Lankan Navy.