Fishermen Delegation Led By TR Baalu Meets Union Minister V Muraleedharan, Asks For Early Release Of Those Arrested By Sri Lankan Authorities This Month

A delegation of fishermen from Rameswaram, led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP TR Baalu and Rameswaram MP K Nawaz Kani today (31 October) met Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan in New Delhi.

According to a report by The Hindu, the delegation submitted a memorandum to Muraleedharan, urging the Centre to work towards the quick release of 67 fishermen and their 10 mechanised boats. They were arrested by Sri Lankan authorities between 14 and 28 October.

Speaking about the meeting, a fishermen's association leader P Jesu Raja said that fishermen were feeling insecure and that the delegation sought a permanent solution, reported The Hindu.

Raja further stated that since 2018, 133 boats had been seized by Sri Lanka and the delegation requested the government to either retrieve the boats or give compensation to the fishermen.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai stated that he had spoken to Muraleedharan over the issue and he had explained the steps taken by the Indian High Commission, legal assistance provided to the arrested fishermen and assured him of their early repatriation.