Centre’s apathy to blame for arrest of TN fishermen: Jaya

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has slammed the Centre for remaining a mute spectator on the frequent arrests of the Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.

As many as 117 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan navy since July.

A batch of 35 fishermen from Pamban in Rameswaram, who went for fishing on four mechanised boats on Sunday, were apprehended by the navy of the island nation for allegedly entering their waters. The fishermen were taken to the Kalpitiya police station for further action.

Earlier, 82 fishermen from Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram were taken into custody and their remand period has been extended since then.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa said the state failed to see any concerted action from the Centre to ensure the early release of the fishermen. "It leads us to doubt whether the issue is even taken as seriously by the Centre as it ought to be," she said.

"This very muted response of the Indian government has emboldened the Lankan navy to repeatedly arrest the fishermen," she added.

The fishermen community in Tamil Nadu was outraged over the apathy of the Centre towards the issue, Jayalalithaa said. "I yet again exhort you to take immediate action through diplomatic channels to secure the release of all the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, along with their boats," she said.