TN CM urges Minister to ensure release of fishermen

Chennai, Nov 4 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has appealed to the Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed to take steps to release 100 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for venturing deep into their territory while fishing near Nagapattinam and retrieve the 17 mechanised boats.

A release from the Secretariat said yesterday Mr Karunanidhi spoke to Mr Ahamed over phone and urged him to hold talks with Sri Lanka Government to ensure that the fishermen were released and the boats retrieved.

The Union Minister promised to take steps immediately.

On Friday, fishermen from Akkarapettai and Kicchanguppam villages in Nagapattinam district were caught by the Lankan Navy personnel when they ventured deep into their territory for fishing.

UNI