Rameswaram, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ten fishermen from Rameswaram and neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu on allegations of crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, officials said on Thursday.
According to Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials, 297 mechanised trawlers had ventured into the sea from the Rameswaram fishing jetty on Wednesday morning after obtaining the required tokens.
Late Wednesday night, a Sri Lankan Navy surveillance team intercepted a mechanised trawler owned by Wellington, a resident of Rajan Nagar in Thangachimadam, near Katchatheevu. Following a preliminary inquiry, the naval personnel detained the boat along with its 10-member crew.
The detained fishermen were identified as Janathan, 45, Antony Pitchai, 38, Prabhu, 43, Don Bosco, 55, Arockia Devin, 31, Veluchamy, 51, Subbiah, 52, Arockia Jeniston, 25, and Stevin, 30. The identity of the 10th fisherman was not immediately available. They are residents of Rameswaram, Pamban, Virudhunagar and Thangachimadam.
A senior Fisheries Department official said the fishermen were taken to the Talaimannar naval port for questioning and were expected to be produced before a Sri Lankan court later on Thursday. Details regarding the seized trawler were awaited.
The latest arrests have triggered concern among fishing communities in Ramanathapuram district, coming just five days after nine Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested when their trawler reportedly developed a technical problem near Neduntheevu.
Rameswaram fishermen had observed a day’s fishing boycott in protest against that earlier arrest. Fishermen’s representatives said repeated arrests and boat seizures were severely affecting their livelihoods and placing financial and emotional pressure on their families.
Fishermen leader Jesu Raja alleged that the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government had failed to find a permanent solution to the recurring maritime dispute. He called for stronger diplomatic intervention to prevent repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay.
The fishing community has urged the authorities to secure the immediate release of the 10 fishermen and their trawler and initiate talks with Sri Lanka to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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