High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Maldives G. Balasubramanian in an email response to the INFIDET (International Fishermen Development Trust) stated that the High Commission would update on the developments of the arrest of the fishermen from India by the Maldives authorities and endeavour to have them and their boats released after due procedure.
The INFIDET founder president Justin Antony in a press release on Wednesday said that the Maldives authorities had detained 26 fishermen from Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Villupuram districts, who were engaged in deep sea fishing in three boats, on October 13 late evening. The Male authorities had held them under charges of crossing the international maritime boundary some where around at 180 NM from Maldives.
The INFIDET had written to the Maldives High Commissioner, High Commission of India to intervene and help bring back the arrested fishermen safely to their homes without imposing fines and also restore their boats.
The release said, all the arrested fishermen were traditional fishermen and fishing was the only source of income for them. Their poor economy cannot withstand the detainment of fishing vessels. Crossing of border was not intentional and it’s the marine nature and flow of uncontrollable water currents.
The fishing vessels were equal to their lives and hence a sympathetic consideration and intervention of the High Commission can only bring them back without fine and forfeiture of boats in Maldives, Mr Justin added.
The High Commission authorities had stated that the apprehended fishing boats with nets were expected to reach Male by October 14 evening. “ We will seek consular access on their arrival to Male and when granted, would ensure their welfare and that their legal rights were enforced,” the email added.
Published - October 14, 2026 06:00 pm IST