Our efforts paid off, says CM O Panneerselvam on Tamil fishermen's return

“This government secured the release of 16 fishermen from Iran in 2011, helped in rescuing 18 TN fishermen who were stranded during the Odissa cyclone and continues to plead with the Centre to secure the release of 22 fishermen stuck in Saudi Arabia. Which other political party has done so much for Tamil Nadu fishermen?’ he said in a press release.

The Chief Minister also said that the most important factor in resolving the issue of Indian fishermen being attacked by the Sri Lankan navy was retrieving Katchatheevu and restoring traditional fishing rights of TN fishermen in Palk Strait, a matter about which former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had also filed a case in the Supreme Court.

Mr Panneerselvam said that the state had so far spent '47.45 lakh to fight the legal battle for the fishermen’s release alone in Sri Lankan courts.

“Besides, we have given several lakhs of rupees as solatium to the family members since 2012,” he said regretting that certain politicians were trying to get mileage out of the situation. The BJP leadership here had earlier claimed that it was the Centre’s aggressive approach and the external affairs minister’s relentless efforts that had saved the fishermen from the gallows.

The fishermen who arrived here late on Thursday were received at Chennai airport by social welfare minister Valarmathi, fisheries minister Jayapal and youth welfare and sports minister Dr S. Sundar Raj, who handed over a check for '3 lakh to each of them to help them start life afresh.