Tensions escalated once again in Tamil Nadu’s coastal town of Rameswaram after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested three Indian fishermen and seized their mechanised fishing trawler in the early hours of Tuesday, reigniting long-standing concerns over fishermen detentions in the Palk Strait region.

According to officials from the Fisheries Department in Rameswaram, the arrested fishermen have been identified as Rooban, Nagarajan, and Prabhu. The trio had departed from the Rameswaram fishing harbor late Monday night after receiving official clearance to venture into the sea.

While fishing near the waters off Neduntheevu, also known as Delft Island, they were intercepted by a Sri Lankan Navy patrol. The fishermen were taken into custody on allegations of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in illegal fishing within Sri Lankan waters. Their trawler was seized and later escorted to the Karainagar Naval Base in northern Sri Lanka.

Officials said that a total of 415 fishing tokens were issued on Monday, allowing hundreds of fishermen from Rameswaram and nearby areas to go out to sea. Most of the boats were expected to return by Tuesday evening. However, news of the arrests spread rapidly through fishing villages, triggering fear, anxiety, and uncertainty among families awaiting the safe return of their relatives.

The incident has once again highlighted the unresolved and sensitive issue of frequent detentions of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. Despite repeated diplomatic engagements and assurances, arrests continue to occur, leaving fishing communities caught between maritime boundaries and survival needs.

Condemning the latest arrests, V.P. Jesu Raja, a prominent leader of the fishermen’s association in Rameswaram, said the repeated detentions have plunged the community into deep distress.

“Despite repeated appeals by fishermen and representations made by the Tamil Nadu government, our livelihood concerns continue to be ignored. Fishermen are living in constant fear. Both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments must engage in meaningful dialogue at the highest level to find a permanent and humanitarian solution,” he said.

Fishermen’s representatives noted that this was the third such incident in less than a fortnight. Over the past 15 days alone, at least 13 fishermen from the Rameswaram region have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, while three fishing trawlers have been confiscated.

Many of the previously detained fishermen were released only after paying heavy fines imposed by Sri Lankan courts, often amounting to several lakh rupees. These financial penalties, coupled with prolonged detention and loss of fishing equipment, have pushed several families into severe economic hardship.

“With our boats seized and mounting legal and penalty expenses, survival has become increasingly difficult. Every fishing trip now carries the risk of arrest, fines, and loss of livelihood,” Jesu Raja added, urging the Union government to intervene urgently and secure the release of the detained fishermen and their vessels.

The Tamil Nadu fishing community continues to demand a long-term resolution to the Palk Strait fishing dispute, including joint fishing mechanisms, humanitarian treatment of fishermen, and clearer maritime arrangements to prevent repeated arrests and escalating tensions.