Palanisamy writes to PM Modi seeking release of fishermen, boats

In the wake of the long-standing tussle regarding the fishermen taken into custody by the Sri Lankan authority, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking assistance on the matter.

In a letter, the chief minister asked Prime Minister Modi to secure the immediate release of five fishermen and the fishing boats that were in the Sri Lankan custody.

Earlier, in a letter dated March 7, Palanisamy requested the Centre's intervention in connection with the incident where a fisherman from Tamil Nadu was shot in the Sri Lankan waters, although the island nation's navy denied any involvement in the incident.

Palanisamy said the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India should be summoned forthwith and "the strong feelings of the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu about the unprovoked firing on fishermen and non-adherence to earlier agreements on this issue should be conveyed in no uncertain terms."

A group of Indian fishermen, who were fishing between Danushkodi and Katchatheevu off the Tamil Nadu coast, were allegedly fired upon by the Sri Lankan Navy in which one fisherman was killed.

Reportedly, 500 boats went for fishing in the first week of March from Rameshwaram. The Sri Lankan Navy started firing in which Pricho died of the bullet injury on his neck and another man named Saravanan got injured.