Eleven Indian fishing boats from Tamil Nadu have reportedly been captured by the Sri Lankan navy this morning for trespassing into their waters. This comes just a day after 18 Indian fishermen were arrested for alleged similar offences.
It’s not clear yet how many fishermen are presently under Lankan custody in the latest case. However, Indian fishermen claim all these arrests took place in Indian waters. There is no confirmation yet from Lankan officials.
On March 3, the Lankan navy had arrested 16 Indian fishermen, all from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, after allegedly attacking them, damaging their fishing nets, and dumping their catch into the sea. They were released after being produced at a Lankan court.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week and described the latest incidents as Sri Lanka’s attempt to intimidate India to stop it from raising the issue of alleged rights violations by the Sri Lankan administration against Lankan Tamils in international fora.
Traditionally, fishermen from both countries have fished in each others’ waters. In the absence of clear boundaries in the sea, and due to bad weather, many Indian fishermen often stray into Lankan waters. Over the last 20 years, more than 300 Indian fishermen have reportedly fallen prey to the Lankan navy’s attacks.
India’s gifting of the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka in the ‘70s has reduced fishing space available for Indian fishermen. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has been demanding retrieval of the island, has mooted the idea of entering into a long-term lease agreement with the Lankan government so that Indian fishermen could legally use Lankan waters for fishing. (NDTV)
