‘It is not only a livelihood issue for the fishermen but also a constant threat to their lives at sea’
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to secure the release of 29 fishermen and their 79 fishing boats from Sri Lanka.
His letter referred to the third incident of the arrest of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy within a few weeks.
Mr Stalin said that recently the country’s navy has arrested 11 Indian fishermen, who were taken to Mayilatti Naval Base, Sri Lanka in three boats on February 7.
“The multiple instances of arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy, especially in the recent past, necessitate a strong and coordinated response at the highest level by the Government of India. The issue of repeated harassment and arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen is a violation of their traditional fishing rights in the Pak Bay region,” the chief minister wrote. He said the arrests were not only a livelihood issue for thousands of fishermen but also a continuing threat to their lives at sea and a challenge to the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen to fish in traditional waters.
“Recent developments are taking on a larger social and political dimension in the regional fabric, and I see the need for the immediate involvement of our diplomatic channels to settle this on a long-term basis,” Mr. Stalin said.
initials
Recalling his earlier letters to Mr. Modi on some serious issues related to the volatile and tense situation between the fishermen of the two countries, the Chief Minister said that he also called the “unilateral” auction of fishing boats in Tamil Nadu by Mr. flagged off. Attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan and Sri Lankan citizens.
“I hoped that my repeated requests would bring about a positive change in the hostile environment created for the fishermen in the Palk Bay districts of Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, till now there is no sign of reduction in such cases of arrest of fishermen from Tamil Nadu. Taking a broader view on the subject, I sincerely believe that this issue deserves some serious attention and diplomatic measures are sought at the appropriate level.”
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