On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin sent a letter to the External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, expressing his deep concern over the recent arrest of 35 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The fishermen, hailing from the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, were detained on August 9, along with their four fishing boats.
Stalin’s letter highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that this incident follows a recent meeting where Tamil Nadu MPs and fishermen’s representatives had sought assistance after the death of two fishermen. Despite these prior interventions, there has been no significant improvement or relief for the affected parties, Stalin remarked.
In his correspondence, Stalin underscored the severe impact these ongoing detentions are having on the fishermen’s families. The arrests are not only causing considerable psychological and financial distress but are also instilling fear and uncertainty within coastal communities. This situation is creating a challenging environment for these families, who are struggling to maintain their traditional livelihoods amidst such adversities.
Stalin stressed the necessity for stronger diplomatic measures to address this recurring issue. He called on the Central government to prioritise the safety and security of the coastal communities and to expedite efforts to secure the immediate release and repatriation of the detained fishermen and their boats.
The Chief Minister’s plea reflects a broader concern about the repeated incidents involving the arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. He expressed hope that decisive action will be taken to prevent future occurrences and to safeguard the interests of Tamil Nadu’s fishing community.