I am deeply concerned about our fishermen being attacked by Sri Lankan Nationals and in this regard, I have written to Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar...

Deeply concerned over physical attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals and naval personnel, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote an urgent letter to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting stern diplomatic intervention. Stalin underscored that recurring oceanic violence, mid-sea assaults, and looting of fishing gear in the Palk Bay pose an intolerable threat to the lives and dignity of Tamil fishermen.

The Chief Minister highlighted that coastal communities in Tamil Nadu depend exclusively on marine fishing for their daily survival. The constant menace of mid-sea attacks by foreign nationals and armed naval patrols creates an atmosphere of terror, preventing fishermen from venturing peacefully into their traditional fishing grounds. Stalin urged the Ministry of External Affairs to register an uncompromising protest with the Sri Lankan high commission and demand strict punitive action against perpetrators of violent oceanic assaults.

Stalin called for revitalizing the bilateral Joint Working Group on Fisheries to formulate binding protocols that protect fishing vessels from physical intimidation. He assured the coastal public that the state government will tenaciously advocate for their maritime safety and occupational rights.