Sri Lankan Navy Detains 34 Indian fishermen

Chennai: The Sri Lankan navy today arrested 34 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly trespassing into Lankan waters. They have also seized 11 boats.

The fishermen are from Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts.

Yesterday, a delegation of AIADMK parliamentarians met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and demanded retrieval of Katchatheevu Island that India gifted Sri Lanka in the 70s.

The ruling AIADMK believes this would give more space for Indian fishermen to fish. AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa has also moved court to declare the deal between both countries null and void as it did not have the mandatory approval of the Indian parliament.

86 Indian fishermen and 37 boats are in Sri Lankan custody as of now. Fishing community in Rameswaram that had struck work demanding their release resumed fishing on Monday following assurance by the state government that Lanka would release them in a few days.

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Each boat gives employment to at least 20 families. Fishermen say the long custody of boats deprives their families of livelihood. "We don't know whether to live or die. The Centre should quickly ensure we are able to fish in our traditional water or give us poison and kill us. That would be good.  Every day we are dying. The Centre doesn't show any mercy on us," said R Sagayam, President of the Saveriar Fishermen's Welfare Association.