Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has drawn the attention of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to two latest incidents of fishermen from Tamil Nadu being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.
According to Indian media, the Deccan Herald, Stalin had urged the Foreign Minister to take immediate diplomatic efforts to prevent such arrests and secure the expeditious release of all fishermen and fishing boats in their custody.
The two incidents, on November 9 and 11, have sent shock waves among the people in Tamil Nadu with PMK founder S Ramadoss wondering when the Sri Lankan Navy would stop such violations.
Chief Minister Stalin has also pointed out that the Sri Lankan Navy’s apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen in 2024 was the highest in the last seven years.
The increased frequency of arrests not only disrupted their livelihoods but also caused immense distress to their families, Stalin said in a statement.
‘On 09.11.2024, the Sri Lankan Navy took into custody twenty-three fishermen from Rameswaram, two mechanized fishing boats bearing registration numbers IND-TN-10-MM-958 and IND-TN-10-MM-641, and an unregistered boat, he said, adding: ‘Further, on 12.11.2024, another fishing boat (Registration No.IND-TN-06-MM-8478) from Nagapattinam and 12 fishermen were apprehended.’
Ramadoss, in a statement, urged the Indian Government to arrange for a meeting of fishermen representatives of both nations to find an early solution to the imbroglio as it was decided in the joint working group meeting on the issue on November 29. (Islandnews/ Deccan Herald)
