New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up with Sri Lankan government on the release of fishermen from Tamil Nadu in the wake of their arrest by Lankan Navy for straying into its territorial waters and indulging in unlawful fishing.
In a letter to Jaishankar, Gandhi also said that recurring incidents of apprehending small and marginalised fishermen and seizure of assets and imposition of hefty fines warrants strict condemnation.
“I am writing to you regarding the arrest of 37 Tamil fishermen, and the seizure of their boats by Sri Lankan Navy on September 21, 2024,” Rahul said.
He said that Lok Sabha MP Advocate R Sudha informed him that the “arrested fishermen were small 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”.
He further stated that “despite contacting Sri Lankan authorities for assistance, the fishermen were arrested on the ground of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.”
“Furthermore, the fishing boats seized were community property purchased through pooled resources,” the former Congress President said.
“The recurring incidents of small and marginal Indian fisherfolk being apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy, and the unjust seizures of assets and imposition of hefty fines by the authorities warrants strict condemnation.
I request you to kindly take up the this matter with the Sri Lankan government and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their boats,” Gandhi said.
