Opposition MPs Demand Action Against Sri Lanka’s Arrest of Tamil Fishermen
Opposition MPs protested in Parliament against the Sri Lankan Navy’s arrests of Tamil fishermen, urging immediate action from the Indian government. DMK MP Kanimozhi reported that over 97 Indian fishermen are detained and 210 boats seized. The ongoing issue highlights the strain in India-Sri Lanka relations, requiring a diplomatic resolution.
On Friday, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), staged a protest in Parliament condemning the ongoing arrests of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The legislators demanded prompt action from the Indian government, highlighting that over 97 Indian fishermen remain imprisoned in Sri Lanka, alongside the seizing of more than 210 fishing vessels.
United by their cause, MPs from various political parties, including Congress and the Left, advocated for a sustainable resolution to the distressing situation of Tamil fisherfolk. Protesters showcased placards with messages such as “Justice For Tamil Fishermen” and “Tamil Nadu Fishermen Are Indians,” and subsequently raised the issue in the Lok Sabha to elicit intervention from the central government.
Highlighting the national significance of the problem, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva emphasized the plight of the Tamil fishermen, stating, “They are Tamil fishermen, but above all, they are Indians.” He expressed concerns regarding the escalating aggression of the Sri Lankan Navy, claiming that it has moved from verbal abuse to using weapons against Indian fishermen, impacting their livelihoods.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore reinforced the need for diplomatic talks with the Sri Lankan government to curb the harassment and boat seizures involving Indian fishermen. DMK MP Kanimozhi reiterated the insistence of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has consistently advocated with Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for swift resolution of the ongoing issue.
The issue involving Tamil fisherfolk has long strained diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka, arising from allegations that Indian fishermen encroach on Sri Lanka’s territorial waters in the Palk Strait. The year 2024 alone saw the arrest of over 550 Indian fishermen, emphasizing the urgency of finding an amicable diplomatic solution to mitigate further conflicts.
Most recently, 10 additional Indian fisherfolk faced detention and boat seizure by the Sri Lankan Navy, underscoring the increasing tension in the region and the pressing need for the Indian government to act decisively in this matter.
The conflict involving Tamil fishermen is rooted in accusations by the Sri Lankan Navy that Indian fishermen unlawfully enter Sri Lankan territorial waters, particularly in the Palk Strait. This has resulted in a series of arrests and the seizure of fishing vessels, leading to a significant strain on India-Sri Lanka relations. The protests by opposition MPs reflect a broader concern for the safety and rights of Indian fishermen, underscoring the necessity for diplomatic engagement to resolve these repeated incidents and protect the livelihoods of fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu.
Opposition MPs, spearheaded by the DMK, have raised serious concerns regarding the detention of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, calling for immediate intervention from the Indian government. The protest highlighted the broader implications of this issue on national concerns and reaffirmed the necessity for a diplomatic approach to resolve the ongoing tensions surrounding the fishing rights of Tamil Nadu’s fisherfolk.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
