Five fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy after their boat was intercepted while fishing in waters between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar, in the latest incident to heighten tensions between fishermen across the Palk Strait.
According to Sri Lankan naval officials, the fishermen were detained for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary and entering Sri Lankan waters while engaged in fishing activities.
The Sri Lanka Navy intercepted the vessel during an operation in the sea area between Dhanushkodi in India and Talaimannar in the Mannar district. The five fishermen were taken into custody and their fishing boat was seized.
Following their arrest, the fishermen were transported to the occupying Sri Lanka Navy camp in Mannar, where they are currently being held while further investigations are carried out.
The latest detention comes amid longstanding disputes over fishing rights in the Palk Strait. For decades, fishermen from both sides have operated in the area. However, the Sri Lankan Navy frequently arrests and assaults fishermen from Tamil Nadu. The arrests have repeatedly triggered diplomatic exchanges between New Delhi and Colombo, as well as protests by fishing communities in Tamil Nadu.
Indian fishermen have also reported harassment, assaults and damage to their fishing gear during encounters with Sri Lankan naval patrols. Human rights organisations and fishermen’s unions have long raised concerns about the use of force and the seizure of vessels.
At the same time, fishing communities in Tamil Eelam have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of trawling practices by some Indian fishing vessels, which they say damage marine ecosystems and threaten local livelihoods.
