New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting him to ensure the release of 37 Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities.
In the letter, the Congress leader has requested Jaishankar to take up this matter with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their seized boats.
According to the letter, on September 21, the arrested fishermen had “attempted to rescue a Sri Lankan boat in distress.” It was stated that despite contacting Sri Lankan authorities for assistance with the rescue, the fishermen were arrested on the ground of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.
“I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you regarding the arrest of 37 Tamil fishermen, and the seizure of their boats by Sri Lankan authorities on September 21, 2024. Adv. R. Sudha, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Mayiladuthurai Parliamentary Constituency, informed me that the arrested fishermen are small-scale fisherfolk operating close to the coast and that on the day of the incident, they had attempted to rescue a Sri Lankan boat in distress,” Rahul Gandhi stated in the letter.
“It was stated that despite contacting Sri Lankan authorities for assistance with the rescue, the fishermen were arrested on the ground for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Furthermore, the fishing boats seized were community property purchased through pooled resources. A copy of Adv. R. Sudha’s representation is enclosed herewith,” he added.
The Congress leader further said that the recurring incidents of the Indian fisherfolk’s arrest by Sri Lankan authorities “warrant strict condemnation.”
“The recurring incidents of small and marginal Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities, and the unjust seizure of assets and imposition of hefty fines by them warrant strict condemnation. I request you to kindly take up this matter with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their boats,” the letter said.
Notably, the arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been a concerning issue for both the Tamil Nadu government as well as the BJP-led central government.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has written to EAM Jaishankar multiple times. Responding to one of his letters, Jaishankar assured him of pro-active action by the Centre on the issue and said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been expeditiously and consistently taking up such cases for the early release of those detained.
The issue was also discussed during the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter’s visit to India in July last year. (ANI)
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