Edappadi Palaniswami criticizes government over arrest of 26 fishermen

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami has criticized the current Tamil Nadu government following the arrest of 26 fishermen from the Taruvaikulam area of Thoothukudi district by the Maldives Coast Guard on October 12, 2026.

Palaniswami accused the administration of being indifferent to the crisis, noting that the Chief Minister only sent a formal letter to the Union External Affairs Minister three days after the incident. He claimed that the Fisheries Department and district administration have failed to provide essential information or take necessary departmental actions.

The opposition leader further criticized local officials and the Member of the Legislative Assembly for failing to visit the families of the detained fishermen. He questioned the whereabouts of the Fisheries Minister and the government's ability to provide basic details regarding the three fishing boats involved: the Amal Shankar, which carried 8 people, the Nixan, carrying 9, and the Aaron, also carrying 9.