CM Vijay Writes To EAM Jaishankar After 25 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Detained By Maldives Coast Guard, Seeks Action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take action to ensure the release of 25 fishermen from his state who were detained by the Maldives Coast Guard. The Maldivian Coast Guard seized three fishing boats carrying 25 Tamil Nadu fishermen for alleged cross-border fishing near the neighbouring country.

The fishermen had ventured into the sea from Tharuvaikulam. They were detained by the Maldives Coast Guard in the early hours of Tuesday (October 13).

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The Tamil Nadu chief minister wrote a letter to Jaishankar, seeking swift action to release the fishermen, who hailed from Thoothukudi district.

What CM Vijay Told EAM In His Letter

"I request you to kindly take up the matter with the Government of Maldives through appropriate diplomatic channels and facilitate the early release and safe repatriation of the fishermen and their boats," Vijay told Jaishankar in the letter.

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Vijay also sought the personal intervention of Jaishankar, saying it would provide the much-needed reassurance to the affected families and the fishing community.

Vijay Seeks Centre's Intervention After 20 Fishermen Detained In Lanka

Earlier on October 5, CM Vijay wrote a similar letter to the External Affairs Minister, requesting immediate action to secure the release of 20 Tamil Nadu fishermen and 270 fishing boats currently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. In his letter, he highlighted a recent incident on October 3, where the Sri Lankan Navy arrested nine fishermen from Rameswaram and confiscated their mechanised boat.

CM Vijay stated that such recurring incidents are causing significant concern and fear among Tamil Nadu's coastal fishing communities. Fishermen from Ramanathapuram and adjoining coastal districts traditionally rely on the Palk Bay region as their primary source of livelihood. The arrests and boat seizures are subjecting their families to immense distress and severe economic hardship, he noted.

(With PTI Inputs)