Earlier on October 3, CM Stalin spoke about the Katchatheevu issue and said that the BJP-led Centre is "refusing" to request the island back from Sri Lanka, despite a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly.
Fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary while fishing, have returned to Chennai after being released upon payment of a fine of Rs. 5 lakhs each.
"Tamil Nadu fishermen are suffering a lot. The Sri Lankan army kills many Tamil fishermen, so it is important to pay attention to this. Similarly, whatever promises the Sri Lankan government has made, they must be fulfilled in time," the MP said, speaking to ANI.
Nagendran explained that the fishermen, hailing from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari regions, had travelled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, due to rising conflict in the region, they were unable to continue working and expressed their desire to return home.
According to officials, the incident took place on June 25, when the four fishermen -- N Nambu Prakash (23), N Nambu Gunalan (25), K Nambu (24), and S Sathyaraj (24), all residents of Puthuroda in the Rameswaram island area -- ventured out to fish in the Gulf of Mannar in a traditional count
In his letter, Stalin highlighted the growing concerns of Tamil Nadu's fishing communities, particularly in Nagapattinam district, where 23 fishermen were reportedly assaulted at sea on May 2 by unidentified Sri Lankan nationals.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting the State government's demands regarding the release of fishermen from Sri Lankan prisons.
AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the long-standing Tamil Nadu fishermen issue during his ongoing visit to Sri Lanka, calling for a resolution that satisfies both nations.
The resolution highlights that the retrieval of Katchatheevu is the only permanent solution to safeguard the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and to alleviate the challenges they face due to the Sri Lankan Navy's actions.