Indian Navy's To Sri Lanka: Be Humane To Our Fishermen

The Indian Navy has urged its Sri Lankan counterpart to be more humane with Indian fishermen. This was discussed at the Indian Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting on 4 November aboard a Lankan ship in the Bay of Bengal.

During the 32nd edition of the meeting, flag officer commanding (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry-naval area) S Venkat Raman spoke with Lankan Navy commander (northern naval region) Tennekoon, according to a defence press release on Saturday.

The discussion on board the ‘Sayura’ focused on maritime security and the safety of Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait.

“The Indian delegation urged Sri Lankan security agencies to be more humane toward Indian fishermen, and both delegations emphasised the importance of expeditious information-sharing, particularly on issues requiring immediate action,” according to the release.

The interaction between the two officers served as a forum for the two countries' Navy and Coast Guard to strengthen ties and operational synergy.

The Sri Lankan navy earlier arrested 15 Indian fishermen, including a minor, from Tamil Nadu on charges of fishing in their country’s waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The navy also confiscated two boats of the fishermen from Rameswaram in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.

A 12-year-old boy was also among the fishermen arrested in the sea.