Fifty-four Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on Sunday on charges of poaching and ten trawlers seized, reports The Hindu.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister, O Panneerselvam urged the men to be released ahead of schedules talks between the two countries on the issue of fishing in the Palk Straits.
“I wish to state that only when all the apprehended fishermen in Sri Lankan custody and their boats are released would the talks be meaningful and conducted in a conducive atmosphere,” Mr Panneerselvam wrote in a letter to the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi.
The arrest comes shortly after the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe, reiterated his defence of the treatment of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, which includes reports of shootings.
Following a visit to Sri Lanka earlier this month, Mr Modi had stated the issue of fishermen across the Palk Straits was a "humanitarian" issue and must be resolved through dialogue.
Related articles:
Sri Lanka PM reiterates navy can shoot Indian fishermen in its waters (16 Mar 2015)
Sri Lankan navy attack Tamil Nadu fishermen (14 Mar 2015)
Indian parliament expresses outrage over Sri Lankan PM defending shooting of fishermen (09 Mar 2015)
Indian fishermen will get shot by navy, warns Sri Lankan PM (07 Mar 2015)
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