Madurai : Centre has informed Madras high court that steps were taken to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy .




A division bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice K K Ramakrishnan took note of the status report filed by the Centre stating that five fishermen had already been repatriated from Sri Lankan prisons/detention centres and effective steps were being taken to secure the release and repatriation of the remaining fishermen.




The court closed a public interest litigation filed by G Thirumurugan alias Theeran Thirumurugan of Madurai, state coordinator of the fishermen’s wing of Naam Tamilar Katchi . The petitioner stated that Tamil Nadu fishermen belonging to the coastal villages of Ramanathapuram district are frequently apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy on allegations of having crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). He stated that he met several of the released fishermen to ascertain the prevailing situation concerning other Tamil fishermen remaining in Sri Lankan custody.




During such interaction, the fishermen informed that several Tamil Nadu fishermen continue to remain detained in various prisons and detention facilities in Sri Lanka. They further informed that 24 fishermen continued to remain in Sri Lankan custody awaiting release and repatriation.




He stated that the continued detention is not an isolated occurrence but forms part of a recurring pattern whereby Tamil Nadu fishermen continue to remain in Sri Lankan custody for prolonged periods, causing immense hardship to them and their families. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities for immediate diplomatic, consular and administrative intervention for securing the release and safe repatriation of the fishermen currently detained in Sri Lanka.