Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) [India], The Sri Lanka Navy detained 26 Indian fishermen and seized four boats, the Pamban Fishermen's Association reported.
The fishermen had gone fishing from Pamban in Rameswaram Island area near Palk Bay sea area, the Fishermen's Association added.
Condemning the Sri Lanka Navy's move, Pamban fishermen along with their families participated in a road blockade to protest the arrest of the fishermen.
Last week, the Sri Lanka Navy detained 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for fishing near Neduntheevu in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Rameswaram Fishermen's Association.
While the fishermen were fishing near Nedundeevu in the Palkbay Sea area, the Sri Lanka Navy arrived and seized three boats belonging to the Thangachimadam fishermen.
Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had requested External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for his immediate intervention to convene the Joint Task Force to prevent further arrests and ensure the release of all fishermen and fishing boats currently in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.
Stalin said such incidents disrupt the livelihood of fishermen and instill a sense of fear and uncertainty throughout their community.
The families of the fishermen had requested that the central and state governments take appropriate measures to ensure timely release of the fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Responding to this, Jaishankar said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been addressing these cases quickly and consistently for the early release of the detainees.
Jaishankar assured Stalin that efforts to address the interests of the Indian fishing community are still continuing.
"After assuming office in 2014, the NDA government has made efforts to address the livelihood interests of our fishing community and its humanitarian aspects. These efforts continue," the EAM said.
"Its many dimensions, including the involvement of the Government of Sri Lanka. You can be assured that we give the highest priority to the welfare and safety of Indian fishermen and we always will," he added.
The fishermen had gone fishing from Pamban in Rameswaram Island area near Palk Bay sea area, the Fishermen's Association added.
Condemning the Sri Lanka Navy's move, Pamban fishermen along with their families participated in a road blockade to protest the arrest of the fishermen.
Last week, the Sri Lanka Navy detained 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for fishing near Neduntheevu in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Rameswaram Fishermen's Association.
While the fishermen were fishing near Nedundeevu in the Palkbay Sea area, the Sri Lanka Navy arrived and seized three boats belonging to the Thangachimadam fishermen.
Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had requested External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for his immediate intervention to convene the Joint Task Force to prevent further arrests and ensure the release of all fishermen and fishing boats currently in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.
Stalin said such incidents disrupt the livelihood of fishermen and instill a sense of fear and uncertainty throughout their community.
The families of the fishermen had requested that the central and state governments take appropriate measures to ensure timely release of the fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Responding to this, Jaishankar said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been addressing these cases quickly and consistently for the early release of the detainees.
Jaishankar assured Stalin that efforts to address the interests of the Indian fishing community are still continuing.
"After assuming office in 2014, the NDA government has made efforts to address the livelihood interests of our fishing community and its humanitarian aspects. These efforts continue," the EAM said.
"Its many dimensions, including the involvement of the Government of Sri Lanka. You can be assured that we give the highest priority to the welfare and safety of Indian fishermen and we always will," he added.