Jayalalithaa urges PM Narendra Modi to act decisively on fishermen issue

CHENNAI: Day after four local fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act "decisively" on the issue as it was affecting the livelihood of lakhs of fishermen.

"I request the Government of India to act decisively to find tangible mechanisms to permanently resolve this vexatious issue affecting the livelihood of lakhs of our fishermen from Tamil Nadu," she said.

"The government of Tamil Nadu strongly reiterates the need to restore the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen in the Palk Bay by annulling the Indo-Sri Lankan agreements of 1974 and 1976 as the constitutional validity of these agreements have been challenged on extremely valid and legal grounds in the Supreme Court," the Chief minister said.

Pointing out that the boats and fishing gear of the fishermen have not been released by the Sri Lankan authorities "so far", she said it has severely impaired the livelihood of several fishermen, causing great frustration and despondency.

She requested Modi to immediately direct the officials concerned in External Affairs Ministry to take concrete action through diplomatic channels to secure the release of the four fishermen and the 84 fishing boats.