CHENNAI: Expressing concern over an "alarming increase in the number of attacks" against Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government to "reverse this trend." In a letter to Mr Modi, Mr Palaniswami sought the release of 42 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly entering into its waters, including the arrest of 14 people in the last couple of days.
Mr Palaniswami accused the Sri Lankan Navy of "continuing its marauding attacks on and abductions of our fishermen" despite the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between India and Sri Lanka being sub-judice due to the ceding of Katchatheevu islet. "These instances, occurring on an everyday basis, in which our boats with innocent fishermen are being apprehended with impunity by the Sri Lankan Navy has a demoralising impact not just on the fishermen, but also on people of Tamil Nadu," he said in the letter.
The Chief Minister also said there was wide expectation among the people of Tamil Nadu that the boats apprehended since 2015 would be released as an outcome of Mr Modi's meeting with Sri Lankan PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe, in Delhi. "The alarming increase in the frequency of abductions by the Sri Lankan Navy is a matter of utmost concern for the (state) government and the people of Tamil Nadu. An immediate intervention at the highest level is sought to resolve this long standing livelihood issue of our fishermen," he said.
