19 Fishermen missing in high seas for 2 weeks

(May 14, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tension prevails in Rameswaram as the 19 fishermen who ventured into the seas about two weeks ago are still missing. The fishermen set off to the sea from Thangachimadam in four country boats on May 1. But 12 days have passed and they have not reached the shore. This has caused tension in the fishing hamlets around Rameswaram town.

Relatives of missing fishermen suspect that either the sea Tigers might have abducted them or Lankan navy might have arrested them. There is also a growing suspicion that the Lankan fishermen could have attacked their Indian counterparts if they had drifted into their waters for a good fish catch. Fishermen say that the Lankan fishermen had issued warning notices three months ago to the Indian fishermen in the high seas cautioning them against crossing the international maritime boundary line in search of rich fishing grounds. A Rameswaram fisherman claimed that the notice proclaimed they (Lankan fishermen) were ready to strike back if the Indians were seen fishing in their waters as “they were not ready to repeat the mistakes committed by their ancestors.”

Both Indian and Lankan fishermen stray into each other’s waters and there are several incidences in the past where the navies of both the countries had arrested them. Rich fishing grounds are found in the seas near Delft, Nainar and Pungudi islets adjoining LTTE-controlled Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the worried relatives of missing fishermen have lodged a complaint with Rameswaram fisheries Assistant Director S.Velpandian on Tuesday evening urging the government to look for them. Mr.Velpandian said coast guard, navy, the naval air base in Uchapuli and the state government have been informed. The Indian navy and the coast guard have begun the search. The naval helicopter will take off on Wednesday morning looking for them.
- Sri Lanka Guardian