Sri Lankan Navy Arrest 55 TN Fishermen Near Katchatheevu Island, CM Stalin Seeks Help From MEA

Meanwhile, the fishermen association has called for an indefinite strike to draw attention to the issue on Monday.

Boats docked up near the shore | (Image for representation/PTI)

Chennai: The Sri Lankan Navy allegedly arrested 55 persons and seized 8 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen on Sunday. Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs urging them to initiate efforts for their release and to get back all the boats seized by the SL Navy till now. 

According to a report on PTI, the Chief Minister also spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the phone and urged him to make all-out efforts to help with the release of 55 fishermen and their boats.

In the writing, the CM mentioned the continued harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy and said that all the 73 boats which were taken away by Lankan authorities should be released. 

The CM said that nearly 19 incidents of apprehension and attack of Tamil Nadu fishermen have been reported in 2021 itself.  He said that though the fishermen were released in all the incidents their boats which are a source of livelihood for them was never released.

The CM also noted that nearly five fishermen died and two attacks were reported during the same period. 

Stalin also termed the move of Sri Lankan Navy from hindering fishermen from performing their traditional work as an 'intimidatory tactic' and urged the Centre to take efforts to not let such activities continue. 

On December 18, over 50 fishermen ventured into the sea and while they were fishing near Katchatheevu island the Sri Lankan Navy stopped them. The Navy then went on to arrest the fishermen and seized their six boats on Sunday, as per the fisheries department. All the arrested persons were kept in the Kangesanthurai camp.

Meanwhile, the fishermen association has called for an indefinite strike to draw attention to the issue on Monday.