Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting back 135 fishing boats of state fishermen impounded by Sri Lanka over a period of time, saying the fishers had been deprived of their livelihood.
Placing emphasis on quick retrieval of fishing boats, Mr Palaniswami, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urged him to urgently take up the issue with Sri Lankan authorities.
The boats were "perilously berthed" and are in "imminent threat of irreparable damage." he said.
When Sri Lanka committed to consider release of boats, it led to hopes. However, no decision had been taken in this regard by the island nation, he said.
Also flagging the issue of 11 fishermen being in the custody of Sri Lanka, he requested PM Modi to get them released as well.
Sri Lanka's strategy of not releasing the fishing boats even after the release of fishermen pushed them into poverty and deprived them of their livelihood, Mr Palaniswami said.
Of the 135 boats, a total of 61 were apprehended in 2015, 53 in 2016 and 21 in 2017, the Chief Minister noted.
The matter was "regularly highlighted" by then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, he said and added that he too had reiterated it in his previous letters.
"I have repeatedly requested you to initiate all necessary diplomatic actions to secure the early release of these fishing boats and gear."
He said it should be ensured that the boats were restored to the fishermen in a refurbished and usable condition.
Placing emphasis on quick retrieval of fishing boats, Mr Palaniswami, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urged him to urgently take up the issue with Sri Lankan authorities.
The boats were "perilously berthed" and are in "imminent threat of irreparable damage." he said.
Also flagging the issue of 11 fishermen being in the custody of Sri Lanka, he requested PM Modi to get them released as well.
Advertisement
Of the 135 boats, a total of 61 were apprehended in 2015, 53 in 2016 and 21 in 2017, the Chief Minister noted.
Advertisement
"I have repeatedly requested you to initiate all necessary diplomatic actions to secure the early release of these fishing boats and gear."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Pics: PM Modi's "Special" Raksha Bandhan Celebration With His "Young Friends" "Festival Symbolising Immense Love": PM Modi Extends Raksha Bandhan Wishes PM Modi Proposes "Global Development Compact" At Global South Summit Student Arrested For Controversial Post On Mamata Banerjee Malala Yousafzai's Post On Taliban After Attending Taylor Swift Concert What Murdered Doctor's Father Said About A Torn Page From Her Diary Mumbai BMW Hit-And-Run Accused Says He Is Illegally Detained, Seeks Release UPSC To Introduce AI-Based CCTV Surveillance To Prevent Cheating Switzerland Offers Rs 50 Lakh For Solutions To Clear Ammunition From Lakes Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.