The continuous apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy is deeply concerning. Over the past two months, there has been a sharp...
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to secure release of detained Tamil fishermen.
M.K.Stalin@mkstalinOriginal post
The continuous apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy is deeply concerning. Over the past two months, there has been a sharp rise in arrests, with a staggering 69 fishermen apprehended. What's more alarming is the unjust branding of three fishermen as habitual offenders, leading to their prolonged detention. This situation not only threatens the livelihoods of our fishermen but also puts their hard-earned savings at risk as their boats are nationalised by the Sri Lankan Government.
On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urgently urge diplomatic intervention from Hon'ble PM Thiru @NarendraModi and Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar to ensure the repatriation of our fishermen and the release of their boats. It's crucial to prioritise this matter and take decisive action to safeguard the interests of our fishermen, for they are not just Tamils but proud Indians.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin registered grave concern over the repeated detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, urging immediate diplomatic intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Highlighting that sixty-nine fishermen were apprehended over a two-month span, Stalin condemned the Sri Lankan authorities for branding three innocent fishermen as habitual offenders to justify prolonged incarceration. He warned that this escalating hostility severely threatens coastal livelihoods and wipes out the hard-earned financial assets of vulnerable families.
The Chief Minister expressed alarm over Sri Lanka's policy of nationalizing confiscated Indian trawlers and fishing equipment, leaving impoverished coastal communities with no means to rebuild their maritime vocations. Stalin reminded the Union government that Tamil fishermen are proud Indian citizens entitled to comprehensive diplomatic protection under national sovereign authority. He urged New Delhi to engage Sri Lankan authorities at the highest diplomatic level to secure the unconditional repatriation of all jailed fishermen and the immediate restoration of impounded vessels.
Stalin affirmed that the Tamil Nadu government remains steadfast in safeguarding the security and traditional fishing rights of its coastal citizens across the Palk Strait.