New Tamil Nadu CM writes to Indian PM on fishermen arrests by Sri Lanka

Chennai: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state Edappadi K. Palaniswami has written to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to secure the release of all fishermen and their boats in Sri Lankan custody.

Following yesterday’s arrest of 13 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the new Chief Minister said the Government of Tamil Nadu is extremely concerned about the continuing apprehension and detention of our fishermen and their boats.

Reiterating his predecessors’ view that the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Sri Lanka cannot be treated as settled by the Government of India, the Chief Minister said there are presently 48 fishermen and 122 fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody and requested the Government of India to take up this “serious issue with the highest authorities of the Sri Lankan Government”.

He asked the Indian Government to ensure the immediate release of the “precariously berthed boats which continue to suffer great damage with every passing day.”

The Chief Minister strongly urged that such incidents of apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy be taken up strongly at the highest diplomatic level to ensure the safety and security of the fishermen in the Palk Bay.