MK Stalin  |  Photo Credit: PTI
New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the arrest of 12 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and called for bilateral talks to stop “repeated instances of arrests and harassment” of fishermen.
In his letter, Stalin said that such incidents are happening with alarming regularity, causing deep distress to the people of Tamil Nadu.
“I wish to bring to your immediate attention the repeated instances of intimidation and attack on fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy. Today yet another incident has been reported and twelve fishermen from Rameshwaram have been apprehended… The fishermen had ventured out for fishing from Rameswaram base in two mechanised fishing boatson 12.02.2022. They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of 13.12.2022 and taken to Thalai Mannar,” the letter read.
He highlighted that this was the third such incident in two weeks and 41 fishermen and six fishing boats are in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy.
“The repeated instances of arrests and harassment tune caused a sense of insecunty in the fishermen community of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Palk Bay area, have adversely affected their livelihoods. It is extremely vital to find a lasting solution to this vexatious and long-pending issue through the collaborative efforts of the Union and State Governments,” he added.
Stalin suggested that as a preliminary step, consultations must be initialed to convene bilateral talks.
“As the COVID situation has eased. I request you to press for the resumption of deliberations through the Joint Working Group Meeting (JWG) immediately. Further, talks between the fishermen of the two countries may also be facilitated to ease the tension in the area. I also urge you to take immediate steps to expedite the release of 41 fishermen from Tamil Nadu,” the letter read.