Jayalalithaa urges PM Modi to seek release of Tamil fishermen arrested by Lankan authorities

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek the immediate release of 21 Tamil fishermen, who are presently lodged in a Sri Lankan jail.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, she said the detaining of 64 fishing boats by Sri Lanka is affecting the livelihood of Tamil fishermen.

Tension is prevailing in fishermen villages of Tamil Nadu as the Sri Lankan Navy continues to apprehend Tamil fishermen fishing in international waters.

The fishermen in the coastal villages of Rameswaram, Pamban, Mandapam and Nagapattinam are also worried that their 64 fishing boats, each worth several lakhs of rupees, won't be returned by the Sri Lanka authorities.

The district administration has issued warnings to the local fishermen not to cross the international maritime boundary line.

Earlier this month, a protest was held by the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) in Chennai against the detention of fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Sri Lanka says poaching and illegal fishing by Indian fishermen depletes the catches of its own fishermen. The arrests have caused friction with Tamil Nadu and have become a sensitive issue in the region.