In yet another instance, five Tamil Nadu fishermen were
arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy today for fishing in their territorial waters, even
as Chief Minister M K Stalin, expressing deep anguish over the continuance of
such incidents, urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar to take
diplomatic steps to secure their release along with their boats.
Police said the five fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram
districts, were fishing near Neduntheevu on the high seas, when they were
arrested by the Lankan Navy personnel for crossing the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in their waters.
The fishermen had ventured into the sea last night when they were arrested
this morning and their mechanised boat was seized by the Lankan Navy and
taken to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, expressing serious concern over the continuing arrests of fishermen,
Mr Stalin immediately dashed off a letter to Dr Jaishankar urging him to take
diplomatic steps to secure their release taking into account the gravity of the
situation and the emotion distress caused to their family members.
In a Demi-Official letter to EAM, copies of which were released to the media
here, the Chief Minister said this is the fourth incident this month alone and
currently 68 fishermen and 235 fishing boats are in the custody of Sri Lanka.
“I write with a deep sense of anguish over the continuing and unabated
apprehension of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities”, he said
“Earlier this morning, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested five fishermen from
Ramanathapuram District, along with their mechanised fishing boat”,
he said.
In a separate instance, a motorised country craft carrying nine fishermen,
was also taken into custody, Mr Stalin pointed out.
“This comes close on the heels of another incident just a week ago, in
which four of our fishermen and their mechanised fishing boat were
similarly apprehended”, he said.
This marks the fourth such incident this month alone, the Chief Minister
said, adding, these repeated apprehensions have caused significant
economic and emotional distress and uncertainty for the affected families.
Currently, 235 fishing boats and 68 fishermen are in Sri Lankan custody.
“Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to address the matter with
urgency through the appropriate diplomatic channels and secure the early
release of all detained fishermen and their boats”, Mr Stalin said.
