In the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested three fishermen from Rameswaram for alleged poaching and confiscated their trawler. The men, Rooban, Nagarajan, and Prabhu, left from Rameswaram jetty and were caught near Neduntheevu islet by a Sri Lankan Navy patrol. They were taken to the Karai Nagar Naval Port in Sri Lanka for questioning. According to Rameswaram’s Fisheries Department, 415 fishing tokens were issued on Monday, December 29, and fishermen were expected back by Tuesday evening. V.P. Jesu Raja, a fishermen association leader, condemned the arrests and called for high-level talks between governments. He said, “Taking into account our livelihood, the governments should engage in a dialogue at the highest level with the Sri Lankan authorities and bring about a permanent solution.” In just 15 days, 13 fishermen from this area have been arrested, with three trawlers seized. Without their boats, fishermen cannot go out to sea. Sri Lankan courts have been imposing heavy fines that the fishermen struggle to pay. Mr. Raja added, “We are undergoing severe stress, and a sense of insecurity is prevalent among the community,” and appealed again to the Union government for help.