Chennai: In yet another communique shot off by chief minister J. Jayalalithaa to Prime Minister ManÂmohan Singh regarding the Tamil fishermen isÂsue, Jayalalithaa stated on Tuesday that over 250 Indian fishermen were languishing in Sri LanÂkan prisons and urged him to immediately use the diplomatic channel in a ‘concrete and decisive manner’ to secure their immediate release.
“I am at a loss for woÂrds to convey my deepest anguish and frustration over the repeated apprehension and incarceration of a large number of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy. These continued oppressive acts have caused untold misery and hardship to the apprehended fishermen and their families,” JayÂalÂalithaa stated.
In the most recent incident, five mechanised fiÂsÂhing boats with 25 fishermen belonging to RaÂmÂanathapuram district set out to fish from ManÂdÂapam South fishing base on January 2, 2014, and were nabbed by the Sri Lankan Navy on the same day.
Jayalalithaa said that the repressive Lankan Navy was establishing its authoritarian presence in Palk Bay by chasing and arresting unarmed innocent fishermen from Tamil Nadu who offer no provocation.
“These oppressive acts of the Lankan Navy on the direction of the emÂboldened Lankan regime have caused a great deal of suffering and coupled with the hopelessly inadequate response from the government of India have given rise to considerable resentment and angst not only amongst the fishermen community, but also amongst the entire population of Tamil Nadu,” JayalÂaliÂthaa said.
