Ensure release of fishermen: Stalin to Jaishankar

On Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, urging him to secure the immediate release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats in Sri Lanka and ensure necessary legal assistance.

In a letter to Jaishankar, Stalin said there were multiple occurrences of fishermen from India being detained by Sri Lankan authorities, which caused distress and uncertainty among their families.

He said the Sri Lankan Navy caught 32 fishermen from Tamil Nadu on March 21, and their five mechanized boats were seized.

“Decisive action must be taken without further delay to address this festering issue and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected fishermen. Further legal assistance needs to be provided for the fishermen whom Sri Lankan courts have sentenced,” he said.

“Therefore, I urge you to secure the immediate release of all our fishermen and their boats and also to ensure necessary legal assistance to the fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka,” he said.

There have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being detained by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Most of these detentions occur in the Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka. The strait is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.

According to the Centre, 240 Indian fishermen were arrested in Sri Lankan waters and 35 trawlers were seized last year.