Fishermen’s arrest: Jaya seeks Singh’s intervention

5 December 2012 11:13 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Expressing concern over the arrest of 40 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy early this week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said such harassment has become a "regular occurrence" and sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention for their release.

"The action of Sri Lankan Navy in detaining our fishermen will only escalate the tensions between the two countries, besides causing immense anxiety and unrest among the fishing community," she said in a letter to Singh.

She said 22 fishermen from Nagapattinam and 18 from Karaikal in Puducherry, who were engaged in fishing in the Bay of Bengal in five mechanised boats, were reported to have been apprehended by the Lankan Navy on December 3. The Indian Navy has also confirmed their arrest, she said.

"I am deeply pained to point out that the incidents of apprehension and harassment of innocent Indian fishermen have become a regular occurrence in the past few months, creating a feeling of insecurity and fear among the fishermen community," she said.

Noting that Sri Lankan fishermen, who poach in the Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) were warned and sent back whenever such incidents occur in the vicinity of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa said, "No apprehension of Sri Lankan fishermen has occurred in the Tamil Nadu waters in the recent past".

"The Sri Lankan authorities should also reciprocate the gesture of goodwill and release the Tamil Nadu fishermen immediately, after ascertaining the genuineness of these apprehended 40 fishermen," she said.

Jayalalithaa requested the Prime Minister to urge Colombo to immediately release the 40 fishermen and their five boats without filing any cases against them.

Sri Lankan Naval spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya had said on December 3 that about 37 Indian fishermen were arrested and five boats were seized off the eastern coast of Pulmoddai. (Source: Indian Express)

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Comments - 12

Ranil Wednesday, 05 December 2012 11:57 AM

Jaya stop eating fish

Kondebandapuchhena Wednesday, 05 December 2012 12:02 PM

you people never ever had goodwill gesture towards us

Erin Wednesday, 05 December 2012 12:55 PM

International maritime boundaries have to be observed.Jayalalitha is acting as though the Navy "Harrassed the fisherman."It is the Navy's job to keep SL waters only to us.You cannot enter without permission.Jayalalitha was fighting this before by saying Indian fishermen always fished there,1000 years ago.The problem is 1000 years ago or some relative time she mentioned, India,Pakistan and Bangladesh were one countries.They are breaking the law.Maybe, an educated Indian politician should explain this to her and for the educated Indians that can read publish it in the newspaper.Jayalalitha is not an intellect but she appeals to the masses because they love to hero worship/idolize movie stars types.

Public Abilik Wednesday, 05 December 2012 12:54 PM

"creating a feeling of insecurity and fear among the fishermen community"? What about you people creating a feeling of insecurity and fear among the pilgrims that visit TN? The Harassment and abuse that they have to go through? These fishermen are poachers. They are treated accordingly.

Fisherrrman Wednesday, 05 December 2012 12:59 PM

Think there are more Indian encraoching on Sri Lankan waters due to the more avaialblity of fish, why not get the sri lanka navy hand them over to indian navy for them to take action. Otherwise we will always be accoused of doing the wrong thing eventhoguh it is it the indians coming into our waters...

Lobo Wednesday, 05 December 2012 03:40 PM

And isn't it a fact that Indian fishermen regularly poach in SL waters depriving Jaffna fishermen of their livelihood causing them anxiety and unrest?

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 05 December 2012 04:13 PM

As expected, Jayalalitha has come out with her usual litany of woes. The simple solution is for her to advise her poachers to keep away from other countries' maritime boundaries. But instead of doing that, she is just politicising the incidents to gain more popularity among her people.

Coca Thursday, 06 December 2012 04:04 AM

You and your fish market you dont have any other work to do

Sammy Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:31 AM

This seems to be a never ending issue with both sides not committed to finding a feasible solution. There should be better rapport and more flexibility from both sides, to resolve this problem.

Banduka Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:09 AM

Very True. Also i find it strange that the TNA is quiet about this issue.... Indian fisherman don't poach in the southern part of Sri Lanka, so TNA speak up!

Nodrog Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:34 PM

Seems the effects of the travel ban is wearing out and Jaya getting frisky again

Veerappan Friday, 07 December 2012 02:26 AM

This uneducated South Indian film acctress speaks to the audiences of the gallery!

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Fishermen’s arrest: Jaya seeks Singh’s intervention

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