Fishermen warn of poll boycott as Lankan Navy nabs 11 more

The fishermen, who ventured into the sea in the early hours of Saturday, were arrested for allegedly illegally fishing in Lankan waters after crossing International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

According to E Kathavarayan, Regional Joint Director of Fisheries, Ramanathapuram, the fishermen who went on two mechanised boats were scheduled to return on Sunday. “The Department of Fisheries is aware of the apprehension by the Lankan Navy. The issue was taken to the attention of State and Central governments to ensure their release at the earliest,” he said.

NJ Bose, State secretary of Tamizhaga Visaipadagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, said the Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen on Saturday night. He alleged that despite such apprehensions by the neighbouring nation’s Navy recurring, the State government remained indifferent to the issue, and failed to take any steps to prevent it. According to him, this was the sixth such arrest made by the Lankan Navy this year.

Over the last three years, 167 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu were seized by the navy, which has taken these boats to Sri Lanka where it is kept under government custody. Of these, only 30 were brought back to Tamil Nadu. The rest, Bose added, could not be brought back as they were not seaworthy to sail across the sea.

He also warned all the political parties that the recurring issue would definitely reflect in the Lok Sabha polls. It could force the fishermen to even consider boycotting the ensuing polls, he added. PMK, which is part of the AIADMK-led alliance that includes Centre-ruling BJP, condemned the arrest of fishermen and added that efforts should be taken to ensure their early release.