CHENNAI: Expressing concern over the recent attacks on fishermen from Jegathapattinam in Pudukottai district by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene personally in the issue and use diplomatic channels to curb such violent actions.
“I request you to intervene personally in this sensitive livelihood issue of our fishermen and use diplomatic channels to curb the violent actions of the Sri Lankan Navy on innocent fishermen from Tamil Nadu,” the Chief Minister said.
He said it was important that the Centre acted decisively to ensure that the fishermen pursued their livelihood with freedom and peace of mind in the traditional waters of Palk Bay.
Pointing out that eight fishermen from Jegathapattinam were targeted by the Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday, while they were fishing in the traditional waters, Panneerselvam said, “The inhuman and barbaric acts of the Sri Lankan Navy continue unabated in spite of several rounds of talks and meetings between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of India wherein it was assured that force would not be used against bona fide Indian fishermen”.
The Chief Minister sought Narendra Modi’s intervention to secure the release of 15 fishermen and 107 fishing boats from Sri Lankan custody without any delay.