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Jayalalithaa writes to Modi over ‘belligerent actions’ of Sri Lankan navy
14 Mar, 2016
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Monday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to register India’s objection to the harassment of Indian fisherman by Sri Lankan Navy.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister requested Prime Minister Modi to put in place a strong diplomatic response registering India?s disapproval of belligerent actions of Sri Lankan Navy, Zee News reported
She requested PM Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to secure the immediate release of 96 Indian fishermen and 82 fishing boats.
Jayalithaa added that Centre’s inadequate response to incidents of apprehension and detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen has emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy.
The Tamil Nadu government’s letter to the Centre comes two days after fishermen belonging to the coastal hamlets in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry threatened to boycott the May 16 Assembly polls if the Centre does not initiate steps for the release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka and also their boats before April 15.
Talking to reporters, Fishermen’s Association President Rajendran said in 2015 alone, about 70 fishermen belonging to various parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been arrested by Sri Lanka on the charge of fishing in the island nation’s waters.He said about 90 fishing boats owned by the fishermen have also been seized by the Sri Lankan authorities last year.
The boats were valued between Indian Rs. 5 lakh to 30 lakh each depending on its size, he said. (Colombo Gazette)
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