Congress MP Manickam Tagore moves adjournment motion in Lok Sabha over arrest of 14 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy
New Delhi: Congress MP Manickam Tagore requested a debate on the detention of 14 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and moved to postpone the Lok Sabha on Monday. Tagore noted in his notice that 14 fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangschimadam were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on February 9 for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
“While fishing close to the IMBL, these two-boat fishermen were apprehended. They were detained and sent to Sri Lanka for legal procedures, he added, despite the lack of substantial proof of unlawful action.
Additionally, the Congress MP noted that it is not an “isolatedd incident” since the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested Indian fishermenny times in recent weeks, notably on January 26 and February 3.
Additionally, five Indian fishermen were wounded, two of them critically, in a shooting incident by the Sri Lankan Navy on January 28 near Delft Island. The livelihood of thousands of fishermen in Tamil Nadu, especially those in Rameswaram and Mandapam, is being negatively impacted by the ongoing harassment and arrests. Our fishing villages are suffering needlessly as a result of this circumstance,” Manickam Tagore said.
Additionally, he insisted that the Center ensure that similar instances stop while pressing Sri Lanka for the 14 fishermen’s and their boats’ prompt release.
“Start immediate talks with Sri Lanka to settle the dispute and safeguard the sights of our fishermen. Tagore called for the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and their boats as well as more monitoring and assistance for Indian fishermen in disputed seas.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy, 14 fishermen from Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram were taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly invading the island nation’s waterways.
T Jesu Poongavanam (42), S Anthony Santhiya (19), M Kaarlose (21), S Nishanth (38), T Tuwiston (21), Ayyavu, R Anthony Dimac (34), S Arulandham (43), A Jelestin (55), and V Anthony Aaron (38) were among the 14 fishermen who were taken into custody: A John Bose (39), R Anthony Isrose (20), A Nilakaran (44), N Nigithan (16).
The incident at Mannar Naval Camp is being looked into by the authorities. The fishermen of Rameswaram are in disarray as a result of this occurrence.
On Friday, DMK MP Kanimozhi urged the federal government to act quickly to secure the release of 97 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who had been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.
