Political parties across the spectrum have urged the Central and Puducherry governments to take steps to get the fishermen of Karaikal and Nagapattinam districts, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, released at the earliest.
Speaking to The Hindu on Sunday, A. Bhaskaran, president, Karaikal District Congress Committee, said the government should convene bilateral talks between Indian fishermen and their counterparts in Sri Lanka to find amicable solution to various issues affecting the fishermen.
He welcomed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s appeal to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to treat the Indian fishermen crossing into Sri Lankan waters on humanitarian grounds. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy were extending similar treatment to Sri Lankan fishermen entering Indian waters in most cases, he said. Hence the Sri Lankan government must ensure early release of Indian fishermen along with their boats.
A.Vincent, district secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist), who made a similar plea, wanted relief to be sanctioned to the family members of fishermen immediately. The Sri Lankan Navy on February 28 arrested 86 fishermen, belonging to various coastal districts of Karaikal and Nagapattinam districts, from Mullaitivu in Sri Lanka’s northern province along with 10 trawlers.
At an emergency meeting held recently, fishermen belonging to the coastal villages of Karaikal decided to impose a fine of Rs. 50,000 on boat owners whose boats crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line.
“It’s high time the Centre take up the issue with the Sri Lankan government,” said P.R.N.Thirumurugan, Karaikal MLA (North), who had already taken the matter with the Puducherry government.
