Congress Party backed union to protest arrest of Indian fishermen by Lanka for poaching

The All Indian Fishermen Congress, a wing of the Congress party, has strongly criticized the arrest of 27 Indian fishermen and the confiscation of their boats. In response, they have called for a protest at the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai on 25 October, India’s Express newspaper reported.

Armstrong Fernando, the National chairman of this fishermen’s wing, expressed his concern saying, “The Sri Lankan navy has apprehended 137 Indian fishermen in 2023, and these numbers have surged since 2014, coinciding with the BJP’s assumption of power. Over the last five years, nearly 200 Indian boats have been seized, with the Sri Lankan government claiming ownership of nearly 140 of them. These boats are repurposed for firewood, and their parts are sold to scrap dealers in Jaffna, which has a significant impact on the livelihoods of Indian fishermen.”

Fernando explained that many fishermen unintentionally cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan waters during nighttime operations and face violence and inhumane treatment. To advocate for the release of both the fishermen and their boats, the fishermen’s association has planned a protest in front of the Sri Lankan embassy on 25 October.