Tamil Nadu CM orders search operations to rescue five fishermen
4 fishermen, who set sail from the Rameswaram caught by SL navy
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-09 05:45 GMT
Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday reviewed the status of five missing fishermen from Nagapattinam and also wrote a letter to PM Modi seeking his intervention in securing the immediate release of 24 fishermen who were in Sri Lankan jails.
In a letter to the PM, the Chief Minister said that four fishermen, who set sail from the Rameswaram fishing base of Ramanathapuram district on Monday, have been apprehended by the Lankan navy. The boat drifted to Delft Island in Lanka and was grounded due to an engine snag following which the fishermen were arrested and handed over to Delft Island Police by the Sri Lankan Navy.
“This new trend of the Lankan navy arresting fishermen in boats that develop a mechanical snag is a matter of concern for my government. An immediate intervention at the highest level is sought to arrest this new trend. I would like to remind you that 20 fishermen and 75 boats of TN fishermen continue to be in Lankan custody,” the letter read, requesting the PM to instruct the ministry concerned to take urgent steps to secure the immediate release of 24 fishermen from Lankan jails and the release of 75 boats.
Reviewing another case of missing fishermen from Nagapattinam, the CM instructed the coastal police, fisheries department and coast guard to start aerial search operations to look for 5 fishermen who ventured into the sea on October 3.