MK Stalin urges Centre to secure release of Tamil fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in an effort to secure the release of fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Citing concerns over the “alarming rise” in such arrests, he even requested Jaishankar to intervene in releasing boats and wavering penalties imposed on the fishermen.
“On 7th September, 14 fishermen from Pudukottai alone with their three mechanised fishing boats were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy. In the year 2024 alone, 350 fishermen and 49 fishing boats have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, which is the highest in the last six years. The Sri Lankan courts are also imposing hefty fines on the fishermen which are beyond their means,” the Chief Minister said.
He also claimed that such arrests would also lead to prolonged incarceration and cause distress to their families.
Stalin further urged Jaishankar to make immediate diplomatic efforts to ensure the release of all the fishermen and the boats in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities and to initiate measures to revive their Joint Working Group without any further delay.
Meanwhile, fishermen’s families in Tharuvaikulam have begun a hunger strike following the arrest of 12 fishermen on August 5.
Following the legal procedure, the 12 fishermen were ordered to pay Rs 42 lakh as a fine or spend six months in jail.
“It’s been 35 days, and we are not aware of their condition. Through the media, we came to know that Rs 42 lakh has been imposed as bail amount per head. We are not that rich, and we gave so many petitions and action was promised, but as there was no remedy, we have initiated the hunger protest,” said Jhansi Rani, the wife of Anthony Raj, one of the arrested fishermen.