Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin urged the Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to secure the release of 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who have been arrested by the Maldivian Coast Guard along with their fishing boat, through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The fishermen from Tharuvaikulam Fish Landing centre in Thoothukudi District had ventured into the sea on October 1 in a mechanized fishing boat bearing registration number IND–TN–12–MM-6376, Stalin said in his letter to Jaishankar on Saturday.
When the fishing boat was near Thinadhoo Island, the Maldives Coast Guard had reportedly apprehended those on board and seized the boat on October 23, Stalin said.
‘In this regard, I request you to take up the matter with the Maldives authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels to secure the release of the detained fishermen and their fishing boat at the earliest,’ he added.
