Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin writes to EAM Jaishankar after attacks on Tamil fishermen

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin addressed a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, urgently requesting his intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of Tamil fishermen who have allegedly faced attacks by Sri Lankan nationals.

In his letter, Stalin underscored the increasing number of reported attacks on Tamil fishermen perpetrated by Sri Lankan nationals.

“I want to bring to your attention an issue of grave concern that demands immediate intervention. Recent reports have highlighted an increased number of attacks on Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals, and on August 21 [Monday], alone, nine instances were reported. These incidents are causing serious harm to their morale and impact their livelihood severely,” Stalin wrote in the letter to Jaishankar.

The attacks, according to Stalin, have not only inflicted physical harm on Indian citizens but have also resulted in the robbery of their belongings. As a consequence of the injuries sustained, the affected fishermen required medical treatment, often seeking assistance at government hospitals.

Stalin conveyed his concern about the dire repercussions of these incidents on the fishermen’s lives and livelihoods, which are inextricably linked to the oceans.

Livelihood of Tamil fishermen tied to oceans: MK Stalin to Jaishankar

“The livelihood of our fishermen is intricately tied to the oceans, and these recurring acts of violence not only jeopardise their lives and well-being but also hinder their ability to sustain their families and communities. Such incidents undermine the spirit of peaceful coexistence and violate their fundamental rights and the principles of international maritime law,” the letter continued.

In the letter, the Chief Minister urged Jaishankar to take certain steps to alleviate the issue. The Chief Minister suggested to “Request the Sri Lankan authorities to take swift and decisive action to

identify and bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice and utilise diplomatic channels to engage with the Sri Lankan government and express India’s strong concern over these incidents and the safety of our citizens.”