Hours after six fisherfolk from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday wrote to Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar to utilise diplomatic channels to secure their early release and safe repatriation and get back their fishing boats.

The fisherfolk ventured for fishing on May 10 from Mandapam in Ramanathapuram District and were arrested along with their fishing boat for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. The six fisherfolk were identified as: Alex, Anthoni Rajan, Santhana Alocias, Arul They Britto, Albert, and Sahaya Selvashanu.

“It is also brought to notice that, 54 fishermen are already in Sri Lankan prison and 264 boats have been impounded by the Sri Lankan authorities. In this regard, I request you to take up the matter with the Sri Lankan authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels to secure the release of the detained fishermen and their boats at the earliest,” Mr. Vijay said in his letter.