Chennai: Chief Minister MK Stalin has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to secure the release of 29 Indian fishermen and their 79 fishing vessels.
In his letter, a copy of which was released to the media here, Stalin said, ‘In this latest instance of high handedness, the Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 11 Indian fishermen who set sail for fishing on 7.2.2022 in the three boats and were taken to Mayilatti Naval Base, Sri Lanka.’
‘The numerous instances of arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy, especially in the recent past, warrants a strong and coordinated response by the Government of India at the highest level. The issue of frequent harassment and arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen is an abrogation of their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay area,’ the Chief Minister wrote.
Through his repeated appeals to the Centre, he had hoped for a positive change in the hostile environment created against the fishermen living in districts along the Palk Bay while fishing in the traditional waters.
‘Unfortunately, there are no signs of abatement of instances of apprehensions of Tamilnadu fishermen so far,’ he said.
Recalling his earlier letters to Modi over certain serious issues relating to the volatile and tense situation prevailing among the fishermen of the two countries, the Chief Minister said he also flagged the ‘unilateral’ auctioning of Tamilnadu fishing boats by the government of Sri Lanka and the attacks on Tamilnadu fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals.