The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam, expressed concern over what he described as a "new trend" by the Sri Lankan navy whereby Tamil Nadu fishermen who run into mechanical difficulties.
"This new trend of apprehending fishermen in boats that develop mechanical snag by the Sri Lankan Navy is a matter of concern for my government," he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports the Business Standard.
Panneerselvam's latest letter follows the detention of four fishermen from Rameswaran on Monday, whose boat ran into difficulty.
"An immediate intervention at the highest level is sought to arrest this new trend," he wrote.
"May I request you to instruct the concerned ministry to take urgent steps to secure the immediate release of 24 fishermen who are languishing in Sri Lankan jails and the release of 75 boats in Sri Lankan custody," he added.
According to the New Indian Express, the four fishermen were taken for questioning by the Sri Lankan navy.
See also: New Tamil Nadu CM writes to Modi urging fishermen's release (01 Oct 2014)
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