Chennai:
Describing as "unfortunate" the latest arrest of 25 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today sought "decisive" action by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to secure their release and facilitate smooth conduct of fishermen-level talk between the two countries next week.
At a time when the state government had released 130 Sri Lankan fishermen and seven boats as part of a mutual agreement between the two nations, she said, "It is most disconcerting and shocking to learn that the Lankan Navy has returned to its marauding acts of assault and apprehension of innocent fishermen from Tamil Nadu at this critical juncture."
In a letter to Dr Singh, she expressed dismay over Lankan navy resorting to yet another incident of "unprovoked assault and abduction of innocent fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu," apprehending 25 of them hailing from Ramanathapuram district along with six mechanised boats.
They were engaged in fishing in their traditional fishing waters in Palk Bay when they were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, she added.
"This latest incident, coming as it does on the eve of the fishermen-level talk is an extremely unfortunate episode.
This belligerent action has caused tremendous anxiety and agitation amongst the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu," she said.
"Mr Prime Minister, Sir, this latest incident definitely requires your personal intervention and I exhort you to take concrete and decisive action to ensure the immediate release of the 25 fishermen apprehended today without their being remanded by the Sri Lankan courts."
She also wanted the release of 64 fishermen from Tamil Nadu along with their 69 boats, under Lankan custody.
The meeting of fishermen associations is expected to discuss the vexed issue of fishing rights in the Palk Strait.
Twenty five fishermen were arrested by Lankan naval personnel off Katchathivu islet and Neergolumbu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line around midnight last night.