Letter from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. M.K. Stalin, to the Union Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar

Subject: Urgent diplomatic intervention to secure the release of fishermen and prevent future attacks

Dear Dr. S. Jaishankar,

I wish to draw your immediate attention to the recent apprehension of 17 fishermen from Rameswaram and their two mechanized fishing boats (Registration Nos. IND-TN-10-MM-206 and IND-TN-10-MM-543) by the Sri Lankan Navy on 24.12.2024.

Additionally, I would like to highlight two separate incidents on 20.12.2024, where six unidentified Sri Lankan nationals attacked fishermen from Kodiyakkarai Village in Nagapattinam District. This egregious act left three of the six fishermen injured, and the attackers robbed their belongings, including GPS equipment, VHF equipment, fishing nets, mobile phones, and their fish catch.

These recurring incidents of arrests and attacks have made the lives of our fishermen, who rely entirely on traditional fishing waters for their livelihood, precarious and perilous. In 2024 alone, 530 fishermen have been arrested, and 71 boats confiscated. Such actions have instilled fear among the fishing community and disrupted their livelihood.

I earnestly request your intervention to take immediate diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the apprehended fishermen and their fishing boats. Additionally, I urge you to ensure that effective measures are undertaken through diplomatic channels to prevent such attacks in the future.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.

Issued by:
Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9