Expressing concern over the escalating frequency of abduction of fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s immediate intervention at the highest level to secure their release.
As many as 11 fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on Saturday.
In a letter to Modi, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said in spite of the International Maritime Boundary Line between the two countries being sub judice due to the ceding of the Katchatheevu islet, the Sri Lankan navy is continuing its marauding attacks on state fishermen in their traditional waters.
“The Sri Lankan navy is persisting with its mid-sea abductions of fishermen from Tamil Nadu from their traditional fishing waters in the Palk Bay, while peacefully pursuing their centuries-old avocation,” the letter read. “These frequent instances, which occur on an everyday basis in which our boats with innocent fishermen are being apprehended with impunity by the Sri Lankan navy, have a demoralising impact not just on the fishermen, but also on the people of Tamil Nadu,” Palaniswami wrote.
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