Expressing grave concern over the continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel in high seas, Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin on Tuesday urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar to take steps through diplomatic channels to secure their release and prevent further arrests of fishermen.In a Demi-Official letter to Dr Jaishankar, the Chief Minister drew his urgent attention to the deeply distressing incident that occurred on the eve of Pongal, the harvest festival, once again underscoring the continuing hardships faced by the fishermen of Tamil Nadu.
Stalin said in the early hours of today, ten fishermen from Ramanathapuram, who had ventured out to the sea in a mechanised fishing boat were apprehended by the Sri Lankan
Navy.
It is a matter of grave concern that such recurring incidents of arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen and seizure of their fishing boats by the Sri Lankan authorities continue unabated.
As of now, a total of 252 fishing boats and 83 fishermen, including those apprehended in the latest incident, remain in Sri Lankan custody, he said.
“Considering the extreme distress and uncertainty faced by the families of the detained fishermen, I earnestly urge the Union Government to take up this matter expeditiously through appropriate
diplomatic channels, to prevent further apprehensions and to secure the immediate release of all the detained fishermen along with their fishing boats, so that they may be reunited with their families during the Pongal festival”, he added.