As tensions either side of the Palk Strait continue to escalate between fishermen in Tamil Nadu and the North-East, Tamil fishermen in Jaffna have written to the Indian Consulate, calling on authorities to ensure the situation is resolved.

The Federation of Jaffna District Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Unions said in their letter earlier this week that they were “very worried that despite discussing this problem for more than 10 years now, there has been no forward movement or a solution until now”.

They spoke of how Indian fishermen are crossing the maritime boundary and fishing with deep sea trawlers that have caused environmental damage as well as a loss of income. In previous years, fishermen from both sides worked with a degree of co-operation, but after the end of the armed conflict and the subsequent Sri Lankan military occupation, tensions have escalated. The Sri Lankan navy has also frequently attacked and shot at fishermen from Tamil Nadu, leading to protests in India.

A fishermen’s association representative in Jaffna told The Hindu that the rising tension “is a very dangerous development”.

He went on to state,

“Despite our disagreement with our brothers in Tamil Nadu, we have always been in solidarity. We have relied only on dialogue and never resorted to violence. We fear that certain political forces are instigating some groups to carry out these attacks.”

“Before this escalates, both governments must take swift and decisive action.”

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