Fri Mar 07 13:04:44 UTC 2025: ## Sri Lankan Navy Arrests 14 Indian Fishermen
**Rameswaram, March 7, 2025** – Just a day after fishermen in Rameswaram ended their week-long protest, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 Indian fishermen from Pamban on Thursday evening. The fishermen were apprehended at approximately 8 pm while fishing, accused of poaching.
The arrested men were aboard a single boat from a fleet of 87 that had ventured out to sea. Among those arrested is V. Arockiyam, the boat owner and leader of the Pamban fishermen’s association. The seized boat is valued at approximately ₹75 lakh.
Arockiyam expressed deep disappointment, stating that the arrest, following their recent protest, poses a significant threat to the fishermen’s livelihoods. He highlighted the financial burden on the boat owner, who recently purchased the vessel with loans and substantial maintenance costs. He urged the Indian Union government to intervene and secure the release of the arrested fishermen from Sri Lankan custody.
First Piper 