TN Fishermen Indulging in Illegal Activities in Lankan waters : Indian Coast Guard

[Gibbs]

TN Fishermen Indulging in Illegal Activities, Can't Protect Them: Coast Guard -The New Indian Express

MADURAI: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Deputy Director General K R Nautial told the Madurai Bench of Madras High court that ICG couldn’t take responsibility for the fishermen’s security in Lankan waters as they indulged in illegal activities, including smuggling contrabands and trawling.

In a counter affidavit filed on Monday on a contempt petition against officials for not obeying earlier court orders to provide security to Indian fishermen, the ICG director general categorically stated it couldn’t take responsibility for Indian fishermen moving into Lankan waters and confronting the Sri Lankan Navy.

S M Anantha Murugan, the petitioner from Virudhunagar sought contempt action against Ajith Kumar Seth, Union Cabinet Secretary and others for not obeying earlier court orders to provide security to fishermen.

Since 2014 and up to March 2015, the Lankan Coast Guard and Navy took action against 937 crew and seized 185 boats of Indian Fishermen. The Lankan Navy had reported to the Indian High Commission 36,865 instances of Indian fishermen poaching in the island waters during the same period, he said.

Stating that violation by Indian fishermen had increased after the civil war ended in 2009, Nautial said, “It is also reported that Indian fishermen are smuggling contraband, including drugs, after developing relationship with their peers in Sri Lanka.” He also claimed that while crossing into Lankan waters, Indian fishermen with their high power engines on large boats reportedly damaged fishing stakes and fishing nets.

Though the ICG and Indian Naval Ships were regularly on patrol on the Indian side of Palk Bay, there had never been an occasion of Indian fishermen being attacked by Lankan Navy in Indian waters reported either by fishermen or any shore authority, said Nautial.

Nautial also said it was not practically possible for the ICG to prevent fishermen from crossing the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) in Palk Strait as ICG was not empowered to prosecute Indian fishermen trying to cross the IMBL; and the IMBL of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar extended to nearly 160 nautical miles and it was not practical or feasible for any agency to seal the entire IMBL.

 

[Sky lord]

These fisherman have the backing of TN political parties. It's a game they play and most of the cut goes to the party leaders not the fishermen who are just pawns in this. I support Sri Lanka on this issue. India is in the wrong and needs to reign in these fishermen.

 

[Gibbs]

These fisherman have the backing of TN political parties. It's a game they play and most of the cut goes to the party leaders not the fishermen who are just pawns in this. I support Sri Lanka on this issue. India is in the wrong and needs to reign in these fishermen.

And Katchchateevu is just an excuse to plunder.. These people poach nowhere close to Katchachateevu but deep inside SL territorial waters

36,865 boats crossed IMBL illegally: CG - The Hindu

Coast Guard on Monday informed the Madras High Court Bench here that 36,865 Indian fishing boats reportedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Bay region and indulged in poaching as well as smuggling activities in the Sri Lankan waters between January 2014 and February this year.

Filing a counter affidavit in reply to a contempt of court application moved against top government officials, including the Union Cabinet Secretary, Coast Guard said the Sri Lankan Navy had even provided registration numbers of 1,474 such boats to the Indian High Commission along with a request to prevent unauthorised entry into their waters.

“The details have been regularly forwarded to Tamil Nadu government to initiate punitive measures. Though ample documentary details of erring Indian fishing boats have been provided to the authorities of Tamil Nadu, the crossing of IMBL by the fishermen still continues,” said K.R. Nautiyal, Deputy Director-General of the Coast Guard, in the affidavit.

Claiming that a majority of the Indian fishermen were let off by the Sri Lankan Navy with a warning, the DDG said only 185 boats and 937 crew members had been detained between January 2014 and March 29, 2015, on charges of following banned methods of fishing, which caused damage to Sri Lankan fishing gears, smuggling contraband and other illegal activities.

The DDG also said that Coast Guard had strengthened surveillance over the IMBL since January 2014. Yet, it was practically impossible to prevent fishermen from crossing the IMBL since the boundary extended up to about 160 nautical miles (296 km) and also because there was no law, rule or regulation that empowered Coast Guard to detain and prosecute such violators.


Says only 185 boats and 937 crew members detained between January 2014 and March 29, 2015, on charges of following banned methods of fishing

 

[Sky lord]

And Katchchateevu is just an excuse to plunder.. These people poach nowhere close to Katchachateevu but deep inside SL territorial waters

36,865 boats crossed IMBL illegally: CG - The Hindu

Coast Guard on Monday informed the Madras High Court Bench here that 36,865 Indian fishing boats reportedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Bay region and indulged in poaching as well as smuggling activities in the Sri Lankan waters between January 2014 and February this year.

Filing a counter affidavit in reply to a contempt of court application moved against top government officials, including the Union Cabinet Secretary, Coast Guard said the Sri Lankan Navy had even provided registration numbers of 1,474 such boats to the Indian High Commission along with a request to prevent unauthorised entry into their waters.

“The details have been regularly forwarded to Tamil Nadu government to initiate punitive measures. Though ample documentary details of erring Indian fishing boats have been provided to the authorities of Tamil Nadu, the crossing of IMBL by the fishermen still continues,” said K.R. Nautiyal, Deputy Director-General of the Coast Guard, in the affidavit.

Claiming that a majority of the Indian fishermen were let off by the Sri Lankan Navy with a warning, the DDG said only 185 boats and 937 crew members had been detained between January 2014 and March 29, 2015, on charges of following banned methods of fishing, which caused damage to Sri Lankan fishing gears, smuggling contraband and other illegal activities.

The DDG also said that Coast Guard had strengthened surveillance over the IMBL since January 2014. Yet, it was practically impossible to prevent fishermen from crossing the IMBL since the boundary extended up to about 160 nautical miles (296 km) and also because there was no law, rule or regulation that empowered Coast Guard to detain and prosecute such violators.


Says only 185 boats and 937 crew members detained between January 2014 and March 29, 2015, on charges of following banned methods of fishing

Yes, I believe they do, when Sri Lanka reacts the regional government in India pressurizes the center to pressure Sri Lanka. Almost 37 thousand boats,! This is ridiculous !
And needs to stop. The center by allowing itself to be used by TN parties is alienating a friendly country.

The present government in the center is not as beholden to TN, so I think we will see less of this in future.

 

[Gibbs]

Yes, I believe they do, when Sri Lanka reacts the regional government in India pressurizes the center to pressure Sri Lanka.
This needs to stop. The center by allowing itself to be used by TN parties is alienating a friendly country.

The present government in the center is not as beholden to TN, so I think we will see less of this in future.

GOSL too understand the political compulsions faced by the central govt of India, Hence they have a policy of releasing the fishermen but to confiscate the boats as a deterrent

 

[Sky lord]

Well at the end of the day there is only so much that GOSL can do. They are forced to return the boats eventually. The coast guards of both countries needs to patrol the area and return Indian fisherman with a stiff fine to the boat owner. The boat returned only if fine paid. Indian coast guard should do the same and heavily fine too. This is just plain illegal and should not be tolerated by either country.

 

[SitaramVillas]

GOSL too understand the political compulsions faced by the central govt of India, Hence they have a policy of releasing the fishermen but to confiscate the boats as a deterrent

Sri Lanka should keep the boats and make it uneconomical for Indian fishermen to poach on its waters.

 

[Gibbs]

Sri Lanka should keep the boats and make it uneconomical for Indian fishermen to poach on its waters.

They do that atm.. But the poachers and TN politicians makes a huge hue and cry over it to Delhi, So the boats get released eventually as bilateral goodwill gesture

Such is the audacity of these third class thieves.. They demand the right to steal from others

TN Fishermen Demand Uninterrupted Fishing Rights In Sri Lankan Waters

Over 100 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are to meet External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj to give a petition demanding uninterrupted fishing rights in the Sri Lankan waters, Indian local media reported on Tuesday (21).

The fishermen representing areas including Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, will participate in the meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi on April 27.

Accoring to the media Indian fishermen demanded that Sri Lankan fishermen should stay away from the sea on days they go fishing there.

Sri Lankan Navy periodically arrests Indian fishermen on charges of engaging in illegal fishing methods. Tamil Nadu fishermen, however, argue that they fish in Sri Lankan waters as part of their “traditional rights”.

In the recent round of talks between fishermen from both the countries, held in Chennai in March, the Indian fishermen said they could reduce the number of their fishing days from 90 to 83, even as they “attempt to phase out trawling”.

However Sri Lankan delegation said it would respond after holding consultations with members of the fishing community.

 

[SitaramVillas]

They do that atm.. But the poachers and TN politicians makes a huge hue and cry over it to Delhi, So the boats get released eventually as bilateral goodwill gesture

Such is the audacity of these third class thieves.. They demand the right to steal from others

TN Fishermen Demand Uninterrupted Fishing Rights In Sri Lankan Waters

Over 100 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are to meet External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj to give a petition demanding uninterrupted fishing rights in the Sri Lankan waters, Indian local media reported on Tuesday (21).

The fishermen representing areas including Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, will participate in the meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi on April 27.

Accoring to the media Indian fishermen demanded that Sri Lankan fishermen should stay away from the sea on days they go fishing there.

Sri Lankan Navy periodically arrests Indian fishermen on charges of engaging in illegal fishing methods. Tamil Nadu fishermen, however, argue that they fish in Sri Lankan waters as part of their “traditional rights”.

In the recent round of talks between fishermen from both the countries, held in Chennai in March, the Indian fishermen said they could reduce the number of their fishing days from 90 to 83, even as they “attempt to phase out trawling”.

However Sri Lankan delegation said it would respond after holding consultations with members of the fishing community.

Just shoot them if they come in Sri Lankan waters anymore.

 

[Echo_419]

TN Fishermen Indulging in Illegal Activities, Can't Protect Them: Coast Guard -The New Indian Express

MADURAI: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Deputy Director General K R Nautial told the Madurai Bench of Madras High court that ICG couldn’t take responsibility for the fishermen’s security in Lankan waters as they indulged in illegal activities, including smuggling contrabands and trawling.

In a counter affidavit filed on Monday on a contempt petition against officials for not obeying earlier court orders to provide security to Indian fishermen, the ICG director general categorically stated it couldn’t take responsibility for Indian fishermen moving into Lankan waters and confronting the Sri Lankan Navy.

S M Anantha Murugan, the petitioner from Virudhunagar sought contempt action against Ajith Kumar Seth, Union Cabinet Secretary and others for not obeying earlier court orders to provide security to fishermen.

Since 2014 and up to March 2015, the Lankan Coast Guard and Navy took action against 937 crew and seized 185 boats of Indian Fishermen. The Lankan Navy had reported to the Indian High Commission 36,865 instances of Indian fishermen poaching in the island waters during the same period, he said.

Stating that violation by Indian fishermen had increased after the civil war ended in 2009, Nautial said, “It is also reported that Indian fishermen are smuggling contraband, including drugs, after developing relationship with their peers in Sri Lanka.” He also claimed that while crossing into Lankan waters, Indian fishermen with their high power engines on large boats reportedly damaged fishing stakes and fishing nets.

Though the ICG and Indian Naval Ships were regularly on patrol on the Indian side of Palk Bay, there had never been an occasion of Indian fishermen being attacked by Lankan Navy in Indian waters reported either by fishermen or any shore authority, said Nautial.

Nautial also said it was not practically possible for the ICG to prevent fishermen from crossing the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) in Palk Strait as ICG was not empowered to prosecute Indian fishermen trying to cross the IMBL; and the IMBL of Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar extended to nearly 160 nautical miles and it was not practical or feasible for any agency to seal the entire IMBL.

I support our SL partners on this what is wrong is wrong

 

[Gibbs]

Just shoot them if they come in Sri Lankan waters anymore.

Not that simple mate.. Despite the propaganda emanating from TN of SLN attacking them, no responsible nation will kill citizens of another unless there is no option

 

[Gibbs]

Kudos to the Indian govt for their stance and the respect for International maritime law..

Now await the melodrama in TN

Govt does volte face, asks TN fishermen not to trespass into Lankan waters - The Times of India

CHENNAI: Reiterating the Centre's stand that Tamil Nadu fishermen should not cross the international maritime boundary line (IMBL), external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday advised a fishermen delegation that met her in New Delhi not to trespass into Sri Lankan waters and invite trouble. She suggested they to take to deep-sea fishing.

Sushma also told the delegation that the Indian government would not be able to help in getting the fishermen released if they got arrested frequently by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the IMBL and using trawlers which had been banned by the Island nation. The Centre did not give any assurance on the fishermen's demand that they be permitted to cross the IMBL for at least 83 days in a year.

The firm stand taken by the NDA government on the fishermen issue comes after several assurances of a solution by BJP leaders and even condoning of their frequent trespasses in the past. The fishermen representatives told TOI that they were upset with the minister's response to the long-standing issue of their frequent mid-sea confrontations with the Sri Lankan navy.

"We have been taken to Delhi by BJP leaders to find a solution for our problems. This suggestion is not much of a help. We are upset," said Ramanathapuram district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Mechanized Boat Fishermen Association B Jesuraja. The fishermen representatives informed the minister that they could not do fishing without crossing the IMBL as the catch in Indian waters was poor.

"The minister advised us to go in for deep-sea fishing. She also asked us to look for an alternate profession. We don't know anything but fishing. We urged the government to give us subsidy so that we could look at an alternate livelihood," Jesuraja said. The fishermen demanded that the Centre sanction at least Rs 60 lakh as subsidy for buying bigger boats and other equipment required for deep-sea fishing.

They sought the external affairs ministry's intervention in the release of 25 fishermen and 37 boats from Sri Lanka. A total of 22 fishermen representatives from Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Pudukottai and Thanjavur met Sushma Swaraj. They were accompanied by TN BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union minister of state Pon Radhakrishnan, senior leader L Ganesan and other leaders.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said the minister listened to grievances of the fishermen and assured them a better livelihood. "The Union minister said the Centre would try to work out an agreement with the Sri Lanka government for permitting Indian fishermen with traditional boats to cross the IMBL," she said. More than 100 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were taken to New Delhi by the BJP, had taken part in a seminar organized by the party on Tuesday.

 

[SitaramVillas]

Propaganda by TOI aside, there is no volte face by the govt. TN fisherman issue was not something the Indian govt ever supported nor something BJP ever hinted at. Their hinting was at China, Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh. There has been no change in BJP's stance. Govt of India and more over BJP can never support acts in violation of national or international laws. They are not a rogue party.

Also check out the attempt by TOI to hide the name of the district secretary by mentioning the district name first and his name at the very end and make it sound like a Hindu guy.

We have been taken to Delhi by BJP leaders to find a solution for our problems. This suggestion is not much of a help. We are upset," said Ramanathapuram district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Mechanized Boat Fishermen Association B Jesuraja. The fishermen representatives informed the minister that they could not do fishing without crossing the IMBL as the catch in Indian waters was poor.

 

[Anuj Tagra]

nothing new,srilanka should continue to shoot.

 

[Gibbs]

Dejected fishermen decide to garner political support - The Times of India

RAMESWARAM: Days after the ministry of external affairs made it clear to a fishermen delegation not to fish in the controversial Sri Lankan waters and its reluctance to intervene in their release every time they are arrested by the island nation's navy; community leaders from Rameswaram have decided to meet all political leaders to gather support for their cause.

Leaders of all fishermen associations met on Monday where they decided to seek support from the political parties also decided to call for a bandh in the coming days in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry condemning the central government.

"We condemn the central government for taking a stand of refusing to intervene in releasing our fishermen when they trespass into Sri Lankan waters for their livelihood and demand compensation for boats damaged in Sri Lankan custody," said Ramanathapuram district secretary of Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, B Jesuraja.

Out of the 81 boats released by Sri Lanka, fishermen could salvage only 61 boats and the rest had to be abandoned since they were damaged beyond repair.

Even among the 61 boats, nearly 10 had suffered extensive damage, fishermen said.

Sources said the meeting between Union minister Sushma Swaraj and fishermen leaders was a disappointment. "The minister asked us not to venture into Sri Lankan waters and carry out fishing in Indian waters but there is no fish in our waters," says D Arockiam, a fisherman from Rameswaram.

Without trespassing, the livelihood of fishermen between Nagapattinam and Rameswaram coast will be at stake, they said.

The ministry has asked fishermen to look at alternate employment and venture into deep sea fishing.

"But we need time to shift to deep sea fishing and we proposed to hand over our boats under buyback scheme. The minister said she will consider buyback possibility," said Jesuraja.