Tamil Nadu CM writes to EAM Jaishankar to ensure release of 17 fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka

The fishermen, who ventured for fishing from the Rameswaram fish landing centre on September 28, were apprehended near Neduntheevu on Sunday by Lankan authorities, CM Stalin said in his letter.

In the letter, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "I want to bring to your attention yet another incident involving the apprehension of 17 fishermen and their fishing boats near Neduntheevu on September 29, 2024, by the Sri Lankan navy. These fishermen had ventured for fishing from the Rameswaram fish landing centre on September 28."

He further said that the detention of fishermen and confiscation of their boats cause "serious distress and uncertainty" among the coastal communities.

"The detention of our fishermen and the confiscation of their boats cause serious distress and uncertainty among the coastal communities. I have repeatedly reiterated that concrete and proactive steps must be taken to resolve this festering issue diplomatically," he added.

Adding further, he said, "Considering the gravity of the situation, I have also submitted this as one of the requests in the memorandum submitted to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on September 27."

The Chief Minister further urged the Foreign Minister to initiate strong and effective diplomatic measures to prevent the arrest of our fishermen.

"I, therefore, request you to initiate strong and effective diplomatic measures to prevent the arrest of our fishermen and to secure the immediate release of all the arrested fishermen and their fishing boats from the Sri Lankan authorities," he stated in the letter.

CM MK Stalin on Thursday also urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic initiatives to ensure consular access and legal assistance to secure an early release of 28 fishermen from the Idinthakarai fishing village of Tirunelveli district apprehended by the Bahrain Coast Guard on September 11.

Earlier on Saturday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting him to ensure the release of 37 Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities.

In the letter, the Congress leader has requested Jaishankar to take up this matter with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their seized boats.

Notably, the arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been a concerning issue for both the Tamil Nadu government as well as the BJP-led central government.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has written to EAM Jaishankar multiple times. Responding to one of his letters, Jaishankar assured him of pro-active action by the Centre on the issue and said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been expeditiously and consistently taking up such cases for the early release of those detained.

The issue was also discussed during the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter's visit to India in July last year. (ANI)