Help release Tamil Nadu fishermen: Jayalalithaa writes to PM
To ensure the release of seven fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, and their boats.
Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the release of seven fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, and their boats.
In a letter to Mr Modi, the Chief Minister said the Sri Lankan Navy has resumed the practice of arresting innocent fishermen from Tamil Nadu “who peacefully pursue their livelihood in their traditional fishing waters.”
In the latest incident, the Chief Minister said seven Tamil Nadu fishermen along with their mechanised fishing boat who had set out for fishing from Rameswaram fishing base of Ramanathapuram district on Monday were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Tuesday and taken to Thalaimannar, Sri Lanka.
“The Sri Lankan Government continues to infringe upon the traditional rights our fishermen have historically enjoyed to fish in the Palk Bay. The Sri Lankan Navy has escalated the frequency and magnitude of instances of abduction of our fishermen and the seizure of their boats and fishing equipment over the last two years,” she said.
In a related provocative move, the Sri Lankan Government is trying to rebuild St. Anthonys’ Church on the disputed Katchatheevu Island without obtaining the consent and contribution of Tamil Nadu fishermen, the Chief Minister said.
Noting that the Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing the boats and fishing gear of our fishermen is causing great frustration amongst the fishermen of Tamil Nadu, she urged the Prime Minister to take up this issue with the Sri Lankan Government and ensure the immediate release of the precariously berthed boats, which continue to suffer great damage.
“I request you to take up the matter with the highest authorities in Sri Lanka and secure the immediate release of the seven fishermen and 89 fishing boats, without any delay,” she said.
