Chennai: Tamilnadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s intervention in securing the release of 23 fishermen of the State, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, and demanded a lasting solution to the issue concerning them.
In his letter, Stalin condemned the action of the Sri Lankan Navy and further urged the Prime Minister to direct the Union External Affairs Ministry to take up the issue with Sri Lankan authorities so as to secure the release of these fishermen and their boats, an official release said.
It added: ‘The Chief Minister noted that the recurring arrests and assault against fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy was disturbing trend and he urged the Prime Minister to find ways to achieve a permanent solution to the issue.’
The Chief Minister asked Modi to take up the issue with the Sri Lankan authorities at the diplomats-level and ensure the freedom of the 23 fishermen. The continued attacks on innocent fishermen of Tamilnadu by the Sri Lankan navy are a matter of grave concern, he said.
He explained that these fishermen from Nagapattinam set out to sea on 11 October. The Navy of the island nation arrested them off the coast of Vettilaikeni near the Point Pedro on 13 October for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Border. The fishermen were detained at a naval base. ‘This is highly reprehensible,’ Stalin said.
PMK leader, Dr S. Ramadoss also said that the Centre must intervene immediately and flayed the Modi government not condemning the arrest of the Indian fishermen. He also said that the Sri Lankan Navy should not have arrested the Indian fishermen for crossing international waters inadvertently.