OPS writes to External Affairs Minister for immediate release of TN fishermen

Chennai: AIADMK coordinator and the former chief minister O Panneerselvam asked the Centre to secure the release of all the fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their fishing boats.

"I would like to draw our attention to yet another outrageous incident of capture and arrest of 13 innocent fishermen from State on March 23, 2022, by Sri Lankan Navy, for eking out their livelihood on the high seas," the AIADMK leader, in a letter to Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, said.

Stating that the Sri Lankan court has fixed a fine of rupees one crore each as a bail amount to release the poor fishermen, he said, "This act of Sri Lankan court is upping the ante in terms of punishment to the fishermen of Tamil Nadu."

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— O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) April 13, 2022

The deputy opposition leader of the house said that the fishermen of the state venture out to sea for fishing only with the constant fear of being attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy. "Fixing of rupees of one crore each as the bail amount to release the arrested fishermen is adding fuel to the fire".

"I, therefore, request your immediate intervention to secure the release of all the fishermen and their fishing boats forthwith," he added.

Earlier, Panneerselvam also said if there is a severe economic crisis, Sri Lanka should seek money from other countries, and instead, getting money in the form of fines from the Indian fishermen cannot be accepted. The AIADMK leader also urged the DMK government to prevail upon the Centre for taking steps to release the fishermen.