Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Urges Minister S Jaishankar to Free 17 Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting his intervention to secure the release of 17 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. The fishermen, who had set out from the Rameswaram fish landing centre on September 28, were detained near Neduntheevu on September 29.
In his letter, CM Stalin highlighted the distress and uncertainty caused by the detention of fishermen and the confiscation of their boats. He urged the Foreign Minister to take strong and effective diplomatic measures to prevent such arrests and ensure the immediate release of the detained fishermen and their boats.
Stalin also mentioned that he had included this issue in a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on September 27. Additionally, he had previously urged Jaishankar to secure the release of 28 fishermen from the Idinthakarai fishing village, who were apprehended by the Bahrain Coast Guard on September 11.
Earlier, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also wrote to Jaishankar, requesting him to ensure the release of 37 Tamil fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities. The issue of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy has been a persistent concern for both the Tamil Nadu government and the central government.
Jaishankar has assured proactive action by the Centre, with the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna consistently working on such cases for the early release of detained fishermen. The issue was also discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter’s visit to India in July last year.
Doubts Revealed
Tamil Nadu -: Tamil Nadu is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, temples, and beautiful beaches.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state in India.
MK Stalin -: MK Stalin is the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is a political leader and the son of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the External Affairs Minister of India. He is responsible for managing India’s foreign relations and diplomacy.
Fishermen -: Fishermen are people who catch fish for a living. In coastal areas, many families depend on fishing for their livelihood.
Sri Lanka -: Sri Lanka is an island country located to the south of India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history.
Rameswaram -: Rameswaram is a town in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a famous pilgrimage site and is close to the sea, making it a hub for fishing activities.
Neduntheevu -: Neduntheevu, also known as Delft Island, is an island in Sri Lanka. It is located in the Palk Strait, close to India.
Diplomatic measures -: Diplomatic measures are actions taken by a country to manage its relationships with other countries. This can include talks, negotiations, and agreements.
Bahrain -: Bahrain is a small island country in the Middle East. It is known for its financial sector and oil industry.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
