Just a few days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take diplomatic measures for the release of Indian fishermen who are in Sri Lankan custody, five fishermen were arrested and their boat were seized by the Lankan navy on Sunday on the charges of violation of International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Fisheries department sources in India said that the fishermen from Rameswaram had ventured into the sea in the morning and they were fishing off Nedutheevu. Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the boat and arrested five fishermen besides seizing their boats.

Last month, six fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were arrested by the Lankan authorities, were lodged in Sri Lankan jail.

Last Tuesday, Chief Minister Palaniswami asked Modi to take up fishermen issue urgently with the concerned authorities in Sri Lanka and arrange for an early release of the 135 fishing boats and 11 fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody.

Palaniswami also pointed out that Sri Lankan Government is following a deft strategy of not releasing the fishermen and their fishing boats.

He said fishing boats are perilously berthed and are in imminent threat of irreparable damage due to long periods of disuse and the onslaught of the monsoon.

(Deccan Herald)