NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, AUG 24
The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized their boat for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries. In response to this incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has called on the Indian government to take urgent diplomatic action to ensure the release of the detained fishermen.
இலங்கை கடற்படையினரால் சிறைபிடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள மீனவர்களையும், அவர்களது மீன்பிடிப் படகுகளையும் உடனடியாக விடுவித்திடத் தேவையான நடவடிக்கைகளை விரைந்து மேற்கொள்ள வலியுறுத்தி மாண்புமிகு ஒன்றிய அமைச்சர் @DrSJaishankar அவர்களுக்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் கடிதம்… pic.twitter.com/rHNsqMest3
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) August 24, 2024
Chief Minister Stalin addressed the issue in a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, expressing his serious concern over the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities. The latest incident occurred on Friday, southeast of Kodiakarai in the Nagapattinam district.
- In 2024 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended 324 fishermen and seized 44 boats: MK Stalin
- The latest incident occurred on Friday, southeast of Kodiakarai in the Nagapattinam district.
“I am writing to you with grave concern regarding yet another incident of apprehension of fishermen from Tamil Nadu,” Stalin stated in his letter. He highlighted that such incidents have been occurring with alarming frequency, causing significant distress and economic hardship to the fishing communities in Tamil Nadu.
Stalin pointed out that in 2024 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended 324 fishermen and seized 44 boats. He emphasized that these recurrent arrests are not only disrupting the livelihood of the fishermen but also creating a climate of fear and uncertainty among the coastal communities.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns about recent reports of attacks on Indian fishermen by unidentified individuals believed to be from Sri Lanka.
“In the past two weeks, there have been a couple of instances of attacks on fishermen at sea by unidentified persons from Sri Lanka, and this issue needs to be addressed immediately,” he added.
