Parties press for release of fishermen from Sri Lankan jails

With 84 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 10 from Karaikal languishing in Sri Lankan prisons, political parties are demanding their immediate release.

Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S Ramadoss alleged that Sri Lankan navy personnel were forcefully taking the fishermen from Indian waters and charging them falsely for trespassing into Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. In a statement, Ramadoss said 29 fishermen from Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam district were fishing near Point Calimere when the Sri Lankan navy attacked and apprehended them. Incidents of the Sri Lankan navy falsely framing Indian fishermen and of the Sri Lankan navy infiltrating Indian waters have increased.

Apprehending innocent fishermen and remanding them in custody for nearly 3 months in prison are human rights violations and is a very dangerous trend followed by Sri Lanka, he charged.Ramadoss said that when the territorial borderline is very narrow, it is not right to detain fishermen for trespassing. Hence, a long lasting solution has to be sought.

The centre should ensure that both countries arrive at an amicable agreement to engage in fishing activities.

Efforts should be taken to immediately release the detained fishermen and their boats, he said.

Tamil Manila Congress president G K Vasan also urged the central government to ensure the release of the fishermen before the Pongal festival.

(Times of India)