A day after six fishermen from Rameswaram fishing base were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of all 21 fishermen from the State, presently in Sri Lankan custody.

“It is highly disheartening to note that our fishermen are facing daily threats of harassment and abduction at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in their traditional fishing waters in the Palk Bay,” Jayalalithaa said in her letter.

About 91 boats of the fishermen from the State were presently in Sri Lankan custody and its “strategy” of not releasing the boats was “throttling” the livelihood of these fishermen and was causing “immense frustration” amongst the fishermen, she said.

Jayalalithaa urged Modi to take this issue up with the highest authorities of Sri Lankan government and ensure the immediate release of all 21 fishermen and 91 boats.

(With inputs from The Hindu)