Secure release of TN fishermen from Sri Lanka: Rahul Gandhi to Centre

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the arrest of 37 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities and urged him to take up the matter with the neighbouring nation to ensure their early release.

In a letter to Jaishankar, Gandhi said, “The recurring incidents of small and marginal Indian fishermen being apprehended by the Sri Lankan authorities and the unjust seizure of their assets and imposition of hefty fines by them warrant strict condemnation.”

Referring to the arrest of 37 Tamil fishermen and the seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan authorities on September 21, he said Lok Sabha MP from Mayiladuthurai R Sudha informed him that the arrested fishermen were operating close to the coast, and that on the day of the incident, they had attempted to rescue a Sri Lankan boat in distress.

“It was stated that despite contacting the Sri Lankan authorities for assistance with the rescue, the fishermen were arrested on the grounds of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Furthermore, the fishing boats seized were community property purchased through pooled resources,” he added.