September 24, 2024
2 mins read

Stalin calls on Jaishankar to expedite release of TN fishermen from Lanka

Stalin in a letter to the Union Minister pointed out that the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 37 fishermen from Tamil Nadu on September 21…reports Asian Lite News

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeking immediate release of fishermen and their boats from the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.

Stalin in a letter to the Union Minister pointed out that the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 37 fishermen from Tamil Nadu on September 21. He also said that the costly mechanised boats of these fishermen were also in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Chief Minister sought the intervention of the Union Minister for the immediate release of Tamil Nadu fishermen from the custody of Sri Lanka. In the letter, he also requested the Minister to speak to the Sri Lankan government against levying hefty fines on the arrested Tamil Nadu fishermen and to provide legal assistance to those arrested.

Stalin also expressed deep anguish at the regular arrest of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan authorities even while fishing in Indian waters. He also called upon the Union Minister to take strong measures to stop the Sri Lankan authorities from arresting the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu fishermen have been regularly facing problems from the Sri Lankan authorities.

On August 1, 2024, an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu died after his fishing boat capsized when a Sri Lankan Navy coastal patrol vessel rampaged into it. One fisherman went missing while two others in the fishing boat were arrested. They were later handed over to the Indian authorities.

At present 87 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are languishing in Sri Lankan jails and around 35 mechanised fishing boats are in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.

Recently, a Sri Lankan Naval shop had rampaged into a fishing boat and the collision resulted in significant losses, including nets, GPS equipment, cell phones, and fishing gear worth approximately Rs 6.50 lakh, which were washed away in the sea.

The incident occurred off the southeast coast of Kodiyakkarai when a fibre boat owned by Dharman, a resident of Seruthur fishing village in Nagapattinam district, was out at sea.

The fishermen had informed the Tamil Nadu Marine police that their boat was allegedly struck by a Sri Lankan Navy vessel, causing it to capsize. They had also told Marine Police authorities that the Sri Lankan Navy had left them struggling at sea, tangled in their nets and injured.

Nagapattinam marine police had in a statement said that they have recorded the affected fishermen’s statements and would conduct an inquiry based on the same.

ALSO READ: Garcetti calls Biden ‘most pro-India President’ ever

Previous Story

India reports first Mpox clade 1b case in Kerala

Next Story

US seeks stronger ties with Sri Lanka

Latest from -Top News

‘Kill and Dump’ Haunts Balochistan Again

The latest killings have reignited accusations of extrajudicial executions and the use of counterterrorism laws to cover up custodial deaths in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News Concerns have deepened across Balochistan following the

‘ASEAN Expands, But Keeps Its Soul’

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN to uphold its unity and strategic resolve amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and mounting external pressures…reports Asian Lite News Consensus and inclusivity will remain the cornerstones

Bangladesh bends to beat Trump’s blow

Dhaka seeks compromise as Trump’s 35% tariff looms large over key exports; Washington urges worker protections, factory relocation to US…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has opened the second round of critical trade

China seethes as US lands F-35s in PH

As US F-35 jets land in the Philippines for the first time, Manila cements its frontline role in Washington’s power play against rising China….reports Asian Lite News The Philippines is rapidly cementing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ahead of Republic Day, SFJ Launches Khalistan Referendum Registration in India

Pannun declared that the 26th of January will be the

Srinagar records lowest June temperature in nearly 50 years

Higher reaches in J&K and Ladakh have received fresh snowfall