Indian court urges fishermen to steer clear of Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu

India's Supreme Court on Tuesday made an oral observation urging fishermen from Tamil Nadu to be sensitised against venturing into Sri Lankan waters for fishing operations near Katchatheevu island, according to reports from New Delhi.

The court's remarks came while hearing a batch of petitions that challenge what petitioners describe as the "unconstitutional ceding" of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The island has long been a flashpoint between the two nations, with Indian fishermen frequently detained by Sri Lankan authorities for trespassing into Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The Supreme Court bench's intervention highlights the practical enforcement challenges in the maritime dispute, acknowledging that awareness campaigns may be necessary to prevent Indian fisherfolk from inadvertently straying into Sri Lankan jurisdiction during their fishing activities.

The Katchatheevu dispute has remained contentious since a 1974 agreement and subsequent maritime boundary demarcation. The issue continues to affect fishing communities on both sides of the maritime border, with periodic incidents of Indian fishermen's arrests and vessel seizures by Sri Lankan authorities.

The Supreme Court's hearing on the broader constitutional questions surrounding the island's status is ongoing, with the court seeking to balance maritime law enforcement concerns with the livelihoods of fishing communities dependent on these waters.