TN govt taking steps for release of boats: Official

Tamil Nadu Government was taking steps to secure the release of fishermen boats impounded in Sri Lanka, a top fisheries department official said today.
Commissioner of Fisheries Beela Rajesh, on a visit to this island and nearby areas, stated this while interacting with fishermen.
Rajesh, who visited various localities here on the advice of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to scout for a suitable place for the proposed fishing harbour, was responding to requests made by the fishermen.
Fishermen from five associations urged the Commissioner to secure the release of their boats seized by Sri lanka. They also requested the government to arrange for repairing boats which got damaged due to rough sea or due to attack by the Sri Lankan navalmen.

Jayalalithaa had recently written to Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi expressing concern over increasing frequencies of arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.
She had also taken exception to the reported remarks of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy that it was he who had advised the island government not to release the boats of the state fishermen, she said.

The fishermen also wanted the government to provide some relief for the families of the fishermen who went missing while fishing.
The Commissioner assured she would convey their demand for compensation to the Chief Minister.
The fishermen also said government should provide them alternative jobs if it wanted that they should not fish in the traditional waters.

The Commissioner advised them not to cross the IMBL while fishing.