Ensure release of fishermen from Sri Lankan custody, CPM to government

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) asked the Centre to take urgent steps to secure the release of 210 Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan custody and initiate talks with Colombo on the problems being faced by "fishermen of both the countries".

The party Politburo expressed concern over the "continuing arrests and detention" of Tamil Nadu fishermen in Sri Lanka and asked the government to ensure their release along with their 70 boats from Sri Lankan custody.

"The problems faced by the fishermen of both the countries and the crossing of maritime boundaries have to be discussed and settled.

"This requires a concerted effort by holding talks between representatives of fishermen of both the countries and the two governments," a CPI(M) statement said.