Fishermen arrest: TN CM Palanisami urges Modi to take up matter with Lanka

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Thursday voiced concern over the recurring arrests of the state fishermen and their boats by Sri Lankan navy and urged the Centre to take up the matter with Lanka in a "concrete and decisive manner".

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Palaniswami sought his intervention and requested him to direct the External Affairs Ministry to take up the matter with Sri Lankan authorities in "concrete and decisive manner".

"The repeated incidents of apprehension and non-release of boats cause great frustration among the fishermen of Tamil Nadu". Deprived of their primary means of livelihood, many families are driven to desperation and despondency", he said.

He urged Modi to take up the issue with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest level and ensure immediate release of fishermen and their boats.

Eight fishermen have been arrested by the Navy for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters yesterday.

Palaniswami sought Modi to ensure the release of 26 fishermen and 131 fishing boats currently in the custody of Sri Lanka at the earliest.