Chennai: Accusing the Sri Lankan Government of following a "deft strategy" of not releasing boats seized from Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in getting 135 boats released along with 11 fishermen, who are st-ill languishing in jails there.
In a letter written to Mr Modi, Mr Palanisami said 135 fishing boats belonging to fishermen from Tamil Nadu, of which 61 were apprehended in 2015, 53 were apprehended in 2016 and 21 were apprehended in 2017, continue to remain impounded in SL custody.
"The Sri Lankan Government is following a deft strategy of not releasing the fishing boats even after the release of our fishermen thereby pushing our fishermen into a poverty stricken state, depriving them of their only means of livelihood," the Chief Minister said in the letter.
Mr Palaniswami also said fishing boats are perilously berthed and are in imminent threat of irreparable damage due to long periods of disuse and the onslaught of the monsoon. Hopes of release arose when the Government of Sri Lanka had committed to consider the release of the boats, which has rapidly dissipated as no decision has been taken so far, he said.
"I request you to kindly take up this issue urgently with the concerned authorities in Sri Lanka and arrange for an early release of the 135 fishing boats and 11 fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody," the CM told PM Modi.
