MPs from Tamil Nadu today met Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh to express concerns over the arrest of Indian fishermen in Gulf of Mannar and to seek help to ensure their expeditious release.
"A group of Tamil Nadu MPs met Singh and expressed their concerns regarding the arrest of Indian fishermen in the Gulf of Mannar area and requested help to facilitate their expeditious release," a Defence Ministry release said.
The safety and security of Indian fishermen was also deliberated where in the Minister assured the MPs that maritime forces are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen while fishing in Indian waters.
"Various measures like ongoing community interaction programmes, distribution of distress alert transmitters and enhanced coastal surveillance with regular deployment of Naval and Coast Guard ships and aircraft in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar were also discussed,"it said.
Singh said the Defence Ministry is sympathetic to these issues and he will be visiting the areas to monitor the efforts being taken in this regard.
Director General Coast Guard Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal and other senior officials from the Defence Ministry were also present during the meeting.
