Chennai, 23 February (H.S.) : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written an urgent letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking immediate diplomatic intervention to secure the release of 12 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy.
The incident occurred on the night of February 22, 2026, when a mechanized boat from Rameswaram, operating from the Pamban Fish Landing Centre in Ramanathapuram district, was intercepted while fishing in the Gulf of Mannar.
The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the recurring pattern of such detentions, which has created a state of deep anxiety and uncertainty among the coastal communities whose livelihoods depend entirely on the sea.
In his communication, Stalin highlighted that including the most recent arrests, a total of 116 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are currently in Sri Lankan custody. Furthermore, 259 fishing boats belonging to the state's fishermen remain seized by the neighboring nation.
He emphasized that these frequent apprehensions by the Sri Lankan Navy between Dhanushkodi and Thalaimannar are a matter of serious alarm.
The Chief Minister urged the Union Government to utilize appropriate diplomatic channels to not only secure the early release of the detained individuals and their vessels but also to develop a sustained strategy to prevent further arrests of Indian fishermen.
According to latest updates from the Pamban fishing port, the recent detention of the boat belonging to a local fisherman named David has triggered widespread unrest among the community.
More than a hundred boats were present in the sea at the time of the incident, and local fishing associations have expressed sharp criticism over the lack of a permanent solution.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Union Government must take concrete steps to protect the rights and safety of Tamil Nadu's fishermen.
This long-standing issue remains a critical point of friction, with the state government repeatedly calling for high-level bilateral talks to resolve the maritime boundary disputes and fishing rights.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
