Opposition Members of Parliament staged a protest at the Parliament premises, calling on the Central Government to facilitate the return of Indian fishermen apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities. They emphasized the need for the government to engage with Sri Lanka to achieve a lasting resolution to the ongoing issue.

The demonstration was spearheaded by lawmakers from the DMK, Congress, and other Left parties from Tamil Nadu, with support from MPs of various opposition groups, including Derek O’Brien from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Sudama Prasad from CPI(ML) Liberation.

The protesting MPs displayed placards with messages that read “Justice For Tamil Fisherman,” “Bring Back Our Fishermen,” “No More Arrests,” and “Tamil Nadu Fishermen Are Indians.”

Speaking to the media, DMK MP Kanimozhi highlighted that the Sri Lankan Navy has been consistently arresting and harassing fishermen from Tamil Nadu. “Currently, around 97 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are in custody. Our Chief Minister MK Stalin has reached out to the Minister and the Prime Minister regarding this issue. Each time he meets the PM, he urges for a resolution. Some 210 fishing boats belonging to our fishermen have been seized, impacting their livelihoods. What are the fishermen to do without their boats?” she stated.

This issue has escalated in Tamil Nadu, particularly affecting the fishing community whose lives and families are at stake, she stressed. Kanimozhi added, “The Union Government, which had promised to engage with fishermen’s groups and create committees to address this problem permanently, has yet to take any action.”

The DMK leader reiterated their demand for the release of the detained fishermen. “We expect the fishermen who have been arrested to be freed and pressure to be applied for their release. Justice must be served. The confiscated boats should also be returned. Our Chief Minister insists on a comprehensive solution to this dilemma. We urge the Union Government to communicate with the Sri Lankan authorities to resolve this effectively.”

Another DMK MP, Tiruchi Siva, commented that the arrests of Tamil fisherfolk represent a national issue, as they are Indian citizens facing mistreatment from Sri Lanka. Kanimozhi also raised this concern during the Zero Hour in Parliament today.

Recent encounters between Indian fishermen and Sri Lankan authorities have intensified. Just last week, six Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka returned to Chennai, a development facilitated by officials from the Fisheries Department, marking yet another chapter in the ongoing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait.

The situation escalated recently due to an incident in the Jaffna Sea, where two Indian fishermen from Karaikal sustained injuries after allegedly being fired upon by the Sri Lankan Navy, prompting strong objections from India.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has consistently urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Central Government to take swift diplomatic action to ensure the release of detained fishermen and their boats.