CHENNAI: Writing to Narendra Modi for diplomatic action to ensure a cessation of the Sri Lankan Navy’s capture of Indian fishermen, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has urged the Prime Minister to “register the strongest disapproval of the belligerent actions of the Lankan Navy”. In her letter, Jayalalithaa pointed out the arrest of over 80 fishermen on Saturday.
“The repetition of such aggressive acts by the Sri Lankan side, immediately after the change in Government at the Centre and the consequent reset in our relations with Sri Lanka does not seem to augur well for the peaceful pursuit of fishing in the Palk Bay by fishermen from Tamil Nadu. It is important that the repeated infringements and effective abrogation of the very basic human right to livelihood of our fishermen to fish in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay, to which they have a historic claim, are strongly and decisively dealt with by the Government of India at the highest diplomatic level with the Government of Sri Lanka. A permanent solution to this problem must be found by a decisive initiative under your leadership,” read Jayalalithaa’s letter.
“In order to put an end to the unabated, brutal, unprovoked attacks and abduction of our fishermen, the time has now come to lay down a time-bound action plan to achieve a long-term, permanent solution to the problem and also to put in place a strong and robust diplomatic response,” she said.