Tamil Nadu Chief Minister writes to Prime Minister on Sri Lanka arrest of 38 fishermen

Chennai: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday shot off yet another missive to the Prime Minister over the vexed fishermen issue following the recent abduction of 38 TN fishermen along with their vessels on Monday.

Condemning the deliberate strategy of the SL government to destroy the primary means of livelihood of Indian fishermen, Jayalalithaa said that it was disheartening to note that while 225 fishermen were released from Lankan custody, their 46 fishing boats continued to remain impounded. She urged the union government to take up the matter with the SL government to ensure immediate release of the impounded fishing boats and gear before they were rendered useless.

“The government of Tamil Nadu reiterates its firm commitment to the restoration of traditional fishing rights of our fishermen in the Palk Bay and the retrieval of Katchatheevu which has been an integral part of India since time immemorial. I request the government of India to initiate decisive measures to find a permanent solution to this livelihood issue of our fishermen,” she stated in the letter.

Reiterating her stand that the government should not treat the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL as a settled question, Jayalalithaa urged Modi to immediately intervene and secure release of all abducted fishermen and their boats.