NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JULY 10
As many as 15 fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy who confiscated their boats too, Chief Minister M K Stalin conveyed to the Centre on Monday and requested steps for the immediate release of fishers and boats.
இலங்கைக் கடற்படையினரால் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள தமிழக மீனவர்களையும், அவர்களது மீன்பிடிப் படகுகளை உடனடியாக விடுவித்திட உரிய நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுக்கக் கோரி மாண்புமிகு ஒன்றிய அமைச்சர் டாக்டர் @DrSJaishankar அவர்களுக்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் கடிதம் எழுதியுள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/PAUd6YRWMS
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) July 10, 2023
Stalin on Monday wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asking for his immediate intervention in getting 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen released from neighbouring Sri Lanka.
- The fishermen associations had in their earlier representations stated that the mechanised boats, which are in Sri Lankan custody, are the main breadwinner for the fishermen in the coastal areas of the state.
“Through diplomatic channels we can reach an amicable resolution that respects the rights and livelihoods of our fishermen even when maintaining friendly bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka,” Stalin wrote.
“Unfortunately, incidents of apprehension by the Sri Lankan Navy have become distressingly frequent, plunging the fishermen and their families into deep anguish and uncertainty.”
The fishermen, who ventured out for fishing in two boats were arrested on July 9, 2023 by Lankan Navy. Thousands of fishermen’s livelihoods depend on fishing activities in the waters near the Indo-Sri Lankan maritime boundary. They solely rely on fishing to sustain their families and communities.
Pertinently, fishermen associations have written letters to the Union government and state government asking to take steps for the release of mechanised fishing boats that are in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy. The fishermen associations had in their earlier representations stated that the mechanised boats, which are in Sri Lankan custody, are the main breadwinner for the fishermen in the coastal areas of the state.
