National

Opposition MPs Demonstrate in Parliament Over Arrest of Tamil Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2025

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.

National

11 Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in Birthday Cake

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Maharashtra : Eleven people were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

The incident took place during a birthday celebration. The affected group included seven children and four women.

According to reports, they complained of sudden stomach and chest pain shortly after eating the cake.

They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that all 11 patients are in stable condition.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in bakeries.

The case comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly seen inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in Thane’s Godrej Hill area in Kalyan.

In another incident, food safety officials suspended the FSSAI licence of a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West after finding several violations.

The recent incidents have increased calls for stricter checks on food storage, hygiene and safety standards across the state.

National

Dead Russell’s Viper Found on Vande Bharat Express

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Ernakulam: A dead Russell’s viper was found on a passenger seat inside a Vande Bharat Express in Ernakulam, causing panic among passengers.

The incident took place on Friday, August 14, at around 2.30 pm. The train was scheduled to leave Ernakulam Junction for Bengaluru.

The incident came to light before the train began its journey. Vinu Varghese, who works for an insurance company in Ernakulam, had booked a ticket to travel to Coimbatore with his two-year-old child.

When he returned to his seat after visiting the restroom, he noticed the dead snake lying on the seat. He was shocked and immediately informed the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and railway staff.

The railway staff quickly responded to the situation. With the help of passengers, they removed the dead snake from the coach.

After the snake was removed, the passengers felt relieved. Vinu Varghese later filed an official complaint through the railway portal.

In his complaint, he questioned the safety and cleanliness standards on the train. He said passengers pay a significant amount for travelling on Vande Bharat trains and expected better safety measures.

Varghese said the railway staff later apologised for the incident.

The incident has also raised questions about how a snake entered the passenger compartment. Vande Bharat trains are air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automatic doors that open only at designated stations.

The incident has raised concerns about pest control and safety protocols on the train. Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter.

This is not the first reported incident involving a snake on a Vande Bharat train. In December 2025, a passenger was allegedly accused of deliberately placing a snake inside the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.