TN minister seeks Swaraj's help to ensure safety of fishermen

Tamil Nadu minister D Jayakumar today sought External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's intervention to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay, besides seeking the release of the fishing boats seized by Sri Lanka.
The state Finance and Fisheries Minister also raised the issue of the death of a fisherman, Bridgo, during his meeting with Swaraj.
"We have requested the minister to make fishing a peaceful affair in the Palk Bay, besides providing immunity to the fishermen from arrests and killings," Jayakumar told reporters after meeting the Union minister here.
He said Swaraj has assured him that such untoward incidents would not occur in the future.

"The minister has promised to release Rs 250 crore for the Tuna fishing project in Tamil Nadu. The state government will also contribute an equal amount," he said.
Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan also addressed the media on the issue and alleged that the "killing" of Bridgo was "in violation of the talks held on November 5".

On November 2, 2016, the fishermen's associations of Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka had met at the Ministry of External Affairs, followed by a high-level meeting of officials of both the countries on November 5.
Bridgo was allegedly killed by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 7.

Jayakumar also met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and sought financial relief for the drought situation in Tamil Nadu, besides seeking the Rs 5,816 crore "dues" to the state.