Detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan navy and their subsequent imprisonment are fodder for political parties and outfits in Tamil Nadu. Amidst the political din, few know that a sizeable number of Sri Lankan fishermen too are rotting in Indian prisons.
India detained 210 Sri Lankan fishermen and their 43 boats last year between August 21 and December 27, according to U Arulanandam of Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen (ARIF). While 179 of them are confined in the Puzhal prison in Chennai, 31 of them are locked up in Kakinada prison. Among the 43 boats seized, 37 boats are decaying in Kasimedu on Chennai coast and Tuticorin fishing harbours and six are lying in Kakinada, he said.
On the other hand, 320 Tamil Nadu fishermen and their 98 boats were held by the Island Country between October 17 and December 4, last year. Of them, six fishermen and two boats were released on December 28 as it was found that they drifted into the Lankan waters after running out of fuel, he mentioned.
On both sides, most of the arrested fishermen belong to the lowest economic strata. Among the Lankan boats seized by India, there was not even a single big boat, suggesting they were operated by well-to-do fishermen in that country. When a Sri Lankan boat anchored in Kasimedu was found damaged recently, the boat owner from Neercolombo struggled to meet the repairing charges. He had to sell his two-wheeler to pay for the expenses,” Arulanandam pointed out.
Justin Soysa, president of the Federation of Mannar District Fishermen Associations, said when the families of the Lankan prisoners raised their issue during a meeting last month, it kicked up a huge uproar. “Fortunately, the families of the imprisoned fishermen are supported by the Sri Lankan government which is a relief,” he said.
In fact, equal numbers of fishermen from both the countries are in jails in both the countries. Fearing reprisals, Tamil Nadu fishermen do not approve of India government’s action of detaining Sri Lankan fishers.
The fishermen associations in Rameswaram have been demanding the release their counterparts from across the sea as a reciprocal measure for the release of Indian fishermen. “When compared to Sri Lanka, India is slow to release arrested fishers,” said a Rameswaram fisherman. B Jesuraja, district secretary of Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, said the detentions may hamper proposed talks with the Lankan fishermen. “We desperately need the talks to happen. As a large number of Sri Lankan fishers are in our prisons, it will affect the mood at the talks,” he voiced his concern.
However, the Sri Lankan fishermen are positive that prisoners will be released by both countries after the talks. “We believe that the arrested fishermen from both countries will be released as a goodwill gesture by the two countries,” Soysa hoped. - TOI
