Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities are reeling from yet another confrontation at sea, with Sri Lankan forces now detaining 116 fishermen from the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin has directly appealed to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar for swift diplomatic intervention to resolve the mounting crisis.
The fresh escalation occurred on the night of February 22 when a mechanized boat from Pamban in Ramanathapuram district was halted by Sri Lankan Navy. The 12 fishermen aboard, caught fishing in the disputed Mannar Gulf between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar, were arrested and their vessel impounded. This incident has swollen the number of detained Tamil Nadu fishermen to 116, with 259 boats still under Sri Lankan custody.
In his letter, Stalin painted a grim picture of the human cost: families plunged into debt, children facing nutritional deficits, and entire villages gripped by anxiety. “Repeated arrests despite our persistent requests signal a troubling pattern that demands urgent bilateral dialogue,” he stated.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for continuous diplomatic channels to safeguard Indian fishermen venturing into traditional fishing grounds. Fishermen’s unions have rallied behind the appeal, demanding not just releases but a permanent solution to these border skirmishes.
As the Palk Bay tensions simmer, this episode highlights deeper issues of maritime boundary enforcement and livelihood rights. With economic pressures mounting, Stalin’s outreach to the center represents a critical push for resolution before the situation spirals further.