Overview
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has appealed to the Indian government to intervene diplomatically with Sri Lanka to stop the scuttling of 34 confiscated Indian fishing boats.
- Stalin highlighted recent attacks on May 2, where 23 Tamil Nadu fishermen were robbed of equipment and personal belongings by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals.
- A total of 229 Indian fishing boats remain in Sri Lankan custody, severely impacting the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities.
- The Tamil Nadu government has proposed repatriating 12 boats released by Sri Lankan courts and sending 14 salvage boats with 101 fishermen to recover remaining vessels.
- Stalin emphasized the need to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen and prevent further attacks, urging swift action from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.