21 Tamil fishermen have been apprehended yesterday by SL Navy. The disturbing series of attacks, arrests and prolonged incarceration by SL Navy...

Following the apprehension of 21 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed an urgent communication to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking prompt central intervention to end recurrent oceanic arrests. Stalin expressed deep anguish over the recurring harassment, physical intimidation, and prolonged incarceration faced by coastal fishermen and their distressed families along the southern shoreline.

The Chief Minister underscored that marine fishing represents the sole livelihood of thousands of traditional fishing families in coastal districts such as Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, and Pudukkottai. Arbitrary arrests in traditional waters, coupled with the confiscation of motorized trawlers and expensive fishing gear, have pushed coastal communities into severe economic destitution. Stalin urged the Ministry of External Affairs to register strong diplomatic objections with Sri Lankan authorities and secure the immediate, unconditional release of all detained fishermen along with their boats.

Stalin emphasized that the Union Government must prioritize resolving this longstanding humanitarian crisis through structured bilateral talks. He called for reviving the Joint Working Group on Fisheries to establish enduring mechanisms that ensure maritime safety and peaceful fishing rights.