CM writes to PM, seeks release of 10 TN fishernment from Lanka

Soon after Sri Lankan Navy allegedly took 10 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu into their custody, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday asked the Union Government to secure their release immediately.

He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take expeditious steps to secure the release of 20 fishermen and 118 fishing boats.
The request also includes the 10 fishermen and their two mechanized fishing boats which were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy at Palk Strait on Sunday morning.

Panneerselvam said the latest arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy just after 51 fishermen were released shows its “harsh and unjust tactic of apprehending Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu” who peacefully pursue their avocation in the traditional fishing waters of the Palk Bay.

Panneerselvam thanked Modi for ensuring the release of 51 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, but rued over the arrest of 20 fishermen, including 10 on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, even before the sense of relief following the release of the 51 fishermen could fully set in and the released fishermen reached our shores, the Sri Lankan navy has yet again resorted to its harsh and unjust tactic of apprehending Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu while peacefully pursuing their avocation in the traditional fishing waters of the Palk Bay,” he said