O.Panneerselvam has said that even though a new president has taken over in Sri Lanka, it is painful for the fishermen of Tamil Nadu to continue with the old status quo.
Former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam has urged the Union External Affairs Minister to take immediate action to release all the fishermen and their boats captured by the Sri Lankan Navy. In this regard, he said in a statement:-
The Sri Lankan Navy, which chased away the Tamil Nadu fishermen by shooting them in the air three days ago, yesterday morning again captured 17 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized their two power boats, causing shock among the Tamil Nadu fishermen.
It has been reported that the said 17 fishermen were captured by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in Balk Bay area near Nedunthivu in the boats owned by Selvam and Viyatharaj from Thangachimad and taken to Mannar port for questioning. Even though a new president has taken over in Sri Lanka, it is very heartbreaking for the fishermen of Tamil Nadu to continue with the old status quo.
The Tamil Nadu fishermen who are arrested in this way are being harassed by the Sri Lankan government and the Sri Lankan court is imposing huge fines to release the Tamil Nadu fishermen. A series of such incidents has created unrest and deep anxiety among the fishermen. Sri Lankan government is trying to instill fear among the fishermen of Tamil Nadu through such series of inhumane activities. But this is a livelihood issue for Tamil Nadu fishermen. It is the right of fishermen of Tamil Nadu to carry out the fishing industry in traditional places within Indian borders. Central and state governments have the responsibility and obligation to uphold this right.
Therefore, considering the Sri Lankan Navy’s attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen as a national issue, take the issue of livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen to the attention of the President of Sri Lanka, express the strong opposition of the Indian country, and request the Central Government to take immediate action so that the fishermen of Tamil Nadu can carry out their fishing activities peacefully in the future and release all the captured fishermen and their boats. I urge the Minister of External Affairs on behalf of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Volunteers’ Rights Rescue Committee. DMK I request the government to give necessary continuous pressure to the central government. This is stated in it.
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