Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote a letter to Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan requesting him to take necessary steps through diplomatic channels to release all fishermen and fishing boats that have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy also to put any end to such recurring incidents whose frequency was increasing at an alarming rate in the past few months.
The letter, handed over by the DMK’s Parliamentary delegation led by the party treasurer and MP T R Baalu, drew the kind attention of the Union Minister of State to the serious issue of repeated apprehensions of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy.
‘A couple of days ago, on 28/10/2023, 37 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, along with their 5 Fishing boats bearing registration numbers IND-TN-10-MM-860, IND-TN-10-MM-985, IND-TN-10- MM-915, IND-TN-10-MM-717 and IND-TN-10-MM-972 were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, the letter said.
Stalin said fishermen of the State were solely dependent on fishing activity for their livelihood and these frequent arrests were causing immense distress and suffering to the fishermen community.
‘As I have pointed out in my letter, such acts of the Sri Lankan Navy have created pressure and panic in the minds of fishermen communities in the State. I wish to state that Tamil Nadu fishermen feel that their voices are not heard and I feel that the Government of India should take this matter more seriously with the Sri Lankan government to ensure the safety of our fishermen and protect their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay region,’ he said.
He said that in the month of October, 2023 alone, 64 Tamil Nadu fishermen, along with their 10 fishing boats had been apprehended, pointing out that the apprehension of fishermen continued unabated despite the persistent demand for stopping the arrests and seizure of boats.
‘I urge you on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, to immediately initiate solid diplomatic initiatives without further delay to end this,’ the Chief Minister told the Union Minister.
