Stalin Urges Centre to Take Steps for Release of TN Fishermen Arrested by Lankan Navy
The Chief Minister said “The continued arrest of our fishermen and the seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan Navy have severely impacted their livelihoods and caused immense hardship and distress among the coastal fishing communities of Tamil Nadu.”
Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday urged Foreign Affairs minister S. Jaishankar to take steps for the release of 12 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy and to arrive at a permanent solution.
In a letter to the Foreign Affairs minister, Stalin drew the attention of the Union Minister on the apprehension of a Rameswaram- based mechanised fishing boat along with 12 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday. The fishermen ventured for fishing in an unregistered mechanized fishing boat from Rameswaram fish landing centre in Ramanathapuram district on December 22.
The Chief Minister said “The continued arrest of our fishermen and the seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan Navy have severely impacted their livelihoods and caused immense hardship and distress among the coastal fishing communities of Tamil Nadu.”
He requested the Union Government to take up the matter urgently through appropriate diplomatic channels and convene the Joint Working Group or fishermen-level talks at the earliest to arrive at a permanent and mutually acceptable solution to the long-standing fishermen issue.
He said at present, a total of 248 fishing boats and 62 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, including 18 fishermen apprehended in the year 2024, are under Sri Lankan custody. He urged the minister to take necessary steps to prevent further apprehensions by the Sri Lankan Navy and to secure the early release of all the detained fishermen and their fishing boats.