Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels and secure the release of 15 fishermen and 91 fishing boats languishing in Sri Lankan custody.
In a letter to Modi, she said four fishermen in a mechanised boat from Rameswaram fishing base were apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy in the late hours of June 4 and taken to Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka.
“This is to bring to your notice yet another incident in which our fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been apprehended by the Lankan authorities. This is the third such incident within a week”, the letter read. “You would recall that I have written to you on many occasions, bringing to your notice the repeated instances of abduction and apprehension of innocent Indian fishermen belonging to the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy while eking out their livelihood in their traditional fishing waters. I have been requesting the Government of India to mount a strong diplomatic initiative to uphold the rights and interests of our Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu”, the letter read.
“In spite of my repeated appeals to ensure the safety and security of our innocent fishermen and to devise a permanent solution to this sensitive livelihood issue, the situation at sea remains precarious with the continued offensive acts of the Sri Lankan Navy.”
“The unconstitutional ceding of Katchatheevu by the agreements of 1974 and 1976 is central to this problem. The Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing the fishing boats, the main source of livelihood of the poor fishermen, is further aggravating the situation. At present, there are 90 fishing boats impounded and insecurely berthed in Sri Lanka and are undergoing severe deterioration. I also request your direct intervention to secure the immediate release of the 15 fishermen and 91 fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody,” the letter said.
