CPI urges centre to address fishermen issue


Expressing grave concern over the increasing incidents of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan has urged the Union government to take immediate action to release the imprisoned fishermen and retrieve their seized boats. He also demanded that the Union take steps to put an end to the alleged atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a statement issued on Monday, Mutharasan condemned the actions of the Sri Lankan Navy, describing them as deliberate attacks on the lives and livelihoods of Tamil Nadu fishermen. “The atrocities of the Sri Lankan Navy are increasing day by day. This is not a coincidence but a deliberately planned attack,” he said.

He further noted that the Sri Lankan government continues to engage in harmful activities such as deadly attacks on fishermen, damaging fishing nets, confiscating boats, imprisoning and torturing fishermen, and humiliating them. He revealed that 17 fishermen from Rameswaram and two boats had been recently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Mutharasan criticized the Union government for its inaction on the issue, calling for urgent intervention to safeguard the rights and livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen. “The Union government must take action on a wartime basis to protect our fishermen and secure their release from Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that immediate efforts should be made to stop the escalating tensions and prevent further harm to the fishermen community.