TN wants MEA to get relief from SL for boats damaged in detention

CHENNAI: Much to the relief of fishermen from Tamil Nadu whose boats were seized by the Sri Lankan government for allegedly fishing in its waters, the State government is holding talks with the Ministry of External Affairs to obtain compensation for them. About 125 boats from the State that have been seized and anchored at various ports in the island nation are about to be destroyed soon.

“Following the requests from fishermen, the State government has asked the External Affairs Ministry to contact the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka and to ensure that the boats are auctioned. We have also requested the Ministry to ensure that the auction amounts are given to the boat owners,” Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar told DT Next. According to the fishermen, more than 300 boats were seized since 2014. But despite repeated requests, the State government had not taken any step to retrieve them. Meanwhile, the Lankan government announced that it would destroy 121 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen stationed in various ports of the island country, which came as a huge shocker for the fishermen Both fishermen and politicians condemned the decision to destroy the boats and urged State and central governments to stop the Lankan government from going ahead with the plan. However, Jayakumar said the boats held in Sri Lankan ports were damaged beyond repair. Jayakumar’s comments created yet another debate, as fishermen claim that the Minister was wrong about the condition of boats. “Though the boats have been stationed in Sri Lankan ports, they are not damaged as claimed by Minister Jayakumar. The boats can be repaired but State government is not interested in it,” said V Kumaravel, general secretary, Vangakadal Meenavar Thozhir Sangam (VMTS).

Kumaravel added that after the seizure of the boats, many fishermen families have disappeared. Though more than 300 boats were seized, the State government has managed to retrieve only a small percentage of them just to avoid any questions, alleged Kumaravel, who also urged the State government to provide full compensation to the affected fishermen.

However, Fisheries Department officials denied these claims. “In the last three years, 92 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen were retrieved due to the efforts taken by the State government. After Sri Lankan government released 165 boats in 2018, the State government sent a team to repair the boats and successfully brought back 36 boats,” claimed Fisheries Department officials.

The officials added that the State government has appointed a special team to go to Sri Lanka to repair boats. But due to COVID-19, the team could not visit Sri Lanka. The government would take steps to stop the boats from being destroyed and instead auction them so that the fishermen would get some amount to held them continue their livelihood, officials added.