Detained fishermen may be released
The 73 Sri Lankan fishermen and 15 vessels detained in South India
for breaching territorial waters may be released by the Indian state
governments in the coming days, media secretary to the Fisheries
Minister, Narendra Rajapakse told the Sunday Observer.
He was responding to the query by Sunday Observer whether the Sri
Lankan fishermen in custody will be released by India as a reciprocating
gesture. The last batch of 29 Indian fishermen and six fishing trawlers
in Sri Lankan custody was released on June 2 after President Mahinda
Rajapaksa ordered their release in view of the new Government in office
and the swearing in
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Even if the Central government issues a directive it will take days
to be communicated down the line and put into action,” Rajapakse said
adding, however, the Ministry is not in possession of any written pledge
that these fishermen in custody will be released by Indian authorities.
According to the Ministry there are 31 fishermen and six boats in
custody in Tamil Nadu and the others are being detained by local
authorities in Andra Pradesh and Orissa.
- MF
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