Chennai, June 29 (UNI) Eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy

while fishing in the high seas today, even as Chief Minister M K Stalin urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar to initiate proactive diplomatic steps to secure their release along with their boat.

The eight fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district, were fishing in a mechanised boat near Katchatheevu, when they were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel.

The Lankan Navy arrested them for fishing in their territorial waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and taken to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Mr Stalin, in a Demi-Official letter to Dr Jaishankar urged him to ensure the safe repatriation of the apprehended fishermen and their fishing boat and to initiate proactive

diplomatic engagement with the Sri Lankan authorities in the handling of fishing-related issues.

"I wish to draw your urgent attention to a matter of grave concern affecting the livelihood and

safety of Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu" he said.

"It has been reported that the Sri Lankan authorities have apprehended a mechanised fishing

boat along with eight fishermen from Rameswaram today", the Chief Minister pointed out.

Observing that such incidents lead to loss of boats and equipment, prolonged detentions, and

exact a heavy psychological toll on the affected families, Mr Stalin sought the EAM's early

intervention to ensure the safe repatriation of the apprehended fishermen and their boat.

"With the annual fishing ban period now concluded and the season having just resumed, our fishermen have returned to sea with hopes of earning a livelihood", he noted.

"Considering that the fishing season has just begun, I urge the Ministry to initiate proactive

diplomatic engagement with the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure restraint and mutual

understanding in the handling of fishing-related issues", Mr Stalin added.

PMK Working President and former Union Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss strongly condemned

the highhandedness of the Lankan Navy in arresting the eight TN fishermen and urged Mr Stalin

to personally meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Ministers to exert pressure on them

to prevent recurrence of such incidents and ensure their safe release.

In a statement here, he said the fishermen have started venturing into the sea from June 15 after

the expiry of the 61-day annual ban period.

Stating that the fishermen would have ventured into the sea for fishing only on a couple of occasions, he said within this two weeks the TN fishermen were subjected to attacks by sea pirates and now the arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Dr Anbumani also said the Chief Minister should not stop with merely writing letters to the Centre seeking their release whenever such incidents took place and instead exert pressure on the Union

government to devise a plan to ensure safe fishing by the fishermen in their traditional waters.

UNI GV 1655