Fishermen Crisis: Jayalalithaa seeks Modi’s intervention
TN govt has sought the PM’s immediate intervention to end incidents
Chennai: For the second time in a week the state government has sought the Prime Minister’s immediate intervention to end incidents of apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, which is continuing unabated.
Writing to PM Narendra Modi, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday said the continuous attacks and apprehensions have created a sense of fear and unrest among the state fishermen.
Referring to the arrest of 15 Indian fishermen in the last two days, Jayalalithaa said, “They were fishing in the Palk Bay which historically is their traditional fishing waters. The issue of the International Maritime Boundary Line is sub judice in the Supreme Court of India, wherein the validity of the Indo-Sri Lankan agreements of 1974 and 1976 ceding the islet of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka has been challenged by me on very valid grounds to which the government of TN has also impleaded itself as a party.”
She added, urging the PM to immediately direct external affairs ministry to take immediate action through diplomatic channels to secure the release of the fishermen and their fishing boats in Lankan custody.
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