Barely a week after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention to take diplomatic measures for the release of Indian fishermen, who are in Sri Lankan custody, eight fishermen were arrested by the Lankan navy on the charges of International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) violation.
Fisheries department sources here on Thursday said that Sri Lankan Navy also seized two boats of the fishermen hailing from Pudukottai district late last night. Arrested fishermen were taken to Kagesanthurai in Sri Lanka.
In a strongly worded statement, Palaniswami told the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that IMBL between India and Sri Lanka being sub-judice due to the ceding of Katchatheevu islet, the Sri Lankan Navy is continuing its marauding attacks on and abductions of State fishermen in their traditional waters.
Palaniswami urged the PM to take up with the issue with the highest authorities of the Sri Lankan Government and ensure the immediate release of the 42 fishermen and all the 141 boats including 14 fishermen and their 3 mechanised fishing boats apprehended in recent times.