Tamil Nadu Timeline

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India protests Sri Lankan Navy attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen

· Rameswaram

India formally protested to Sri Lanka over alleged Sri Lankan Navy attacks on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait.

Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have frequently been shot at, arrested or had their boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy in the narrow Palk Strait. Sri Lanka has objected to Indian mechanised trawlers fishing in its waters, which it says damages the catch and boats of its own fishermen. On 12 January 2011 India officially protested against the Sri Lankan Navy over alleged attacks on Indian fishermen. Tamil Nadu political leaders, including Jayalalithaa and Vaiko, criticised the Union government for not doing enough to protect the fishermen, and a Joint Working Group was set up to address the issue.

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