2 weeks ago
Nine Indian fishermen arrested; CM Vijay urges Jaishankar intervention
There are fishermen in a place called Tamil Nadu, in India.
They go out on boats to catch fish near a small island called Katchatheevu.
A navy from a nearby country called Sri Lanka caught nine of these fishermen and took their boat.
The leader of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, sent a letter to a big minister named S Jaishankar.
He asked the minister to help get the fishermen back home.
Right now, 49 Indian fishermen are being kept in Sri Lanka.
This has happened many times, and fishing families are very worried and scared.
Because of this fear, only about half of the fishing boats went out on August 12.
The fishermen want India and Sri Lanka to talk and solve this problem so they can fish in peace.
Nine Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy late on August 12, and their mechanised boat was seized while they were purportedly fishing off Katchatheevu.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, seeking urgent diplomatic intervention for the fishermen's early release.
The arrest is the second such incident in August, and 49 Indian fishermen currently remain in Sri Lankan custody.
Saveriyar Fishermen Association President Sagayam Saveriyar said a third boat was captured in the last one and a half months; the seized boat belonged to local fisherman Wellington.
Only over 300 of more than 600 mechanised boats from Rameswaram went to sea on August 12 due to fears, and fishermen warned of protests and called for bilateral talks.
- Who
- Nine Indian fishermen from Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu; Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay; External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; the Sri Lankan Navy.
- What
- The Sri Lankan Navy arrested nine Indian fishermen and seized their mechanised boat while they were purportedly fishing off Katchatheevu.
- Where
- Off Katchatheevu; the fishermen and boat are from the Rameswaram/Ramanathapuram area in Tamil Nadu, India.
- When
- Late hours of August 12 (arrest); the chief minister's letter to Jaishankar was sent on Thursday, August 13.
- Why
- The fishermen were purportedly fishing off Katchatheevu, and repeated detentions are causing anxiety and a deep sense of insecurity among the fishing community in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts.
Indian Fishing Community
Sri Lankan Naval Enforcement
Fishing off Katchatheevu
Indian Fishing Community
Indian fishermen say they are carrying out traditional fishing activities in the Katchatheevu region and should be allowed to do so without harassment by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Sri Lankan Naval Enforcement
The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the boat and arrested the fishermen, and the report notes they were only 'purportedly' fishing off Katchatheevu, indicating disputes over jurisdiction in these waters.
Government response to detentions
Indian Fishing Community
The Saveriyar Fishermen Association says both the Central and State governments appear indifferent to the issue, warns of protests, and urges resumption of bilateral talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen representatives.
Sri Lankan Naval Enforcement
The Tamil Nadu government says it is acting on the matter by writing to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for urgent Centre intervention, which the chief minister says would reassure affected families.
Key facts
- Arrested fishermen
- Nine Indian fishermen from Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu
- Date of arrest
- Late hours of August 12
- Location
- Off Katchatheevu; boat operated from Rameswaram
- Boat seized
- Mechanised boat belonging to local fisherman Wellington
- Indians in Sri Lankan custody
- 49 fishermen
- Incident count
- Second such incident in August; third boat captured in the last one and a half months
- Boats at sea on August 12
- Over 300 of more than 600 mechanised boats from Rameswaram
- Diplomatic appeal
- Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, August 13
Quotes
Sagayam Saveriyar
President of the Rameswaram Saveriyar Fishermen Association
“The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the boat and arrested nine fishermen. It is distressing that both the Central and State governments are remaining indifferent to this issue.”
theprint.in
Sources
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