Chennai, 14 February (H.S.) : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written a formal letter to the Union Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, expressing grave concern over the delayed repatriation of Tamil Nadu fishermen recently released by a Sri Lankan court.

The Chief Minister highlighted that despite being ordered for release, several fishermen remain in custody at the Minihana Detention Centre due to procedural delays in completing repatriation formalities, causing immense distress to their families.

In the letter, CM Stalin detailed the legal proceedings at the Jaffna Court, which tried twelve fishermen on February 3, 2026. These included three fishermen from Mandapam apprehended in late December 2025 and nine from Mayiladuthurai detained in early January 2026.

While the court sentenced three boat drivers to six months of rigorous imprisonment and heavy fines, it ordered the release of the remaining nine fishermen. However, these individuals have been held in a detention center since February 5, awaiting the necessary documentation for their return to India.

The Chief Minister emphasized the severe emotional and economic toll these recurring arrests have on the coastal fishing communities. He pointed out that currently, approximately 90 fishermen and 254 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody. The prolonged detention and confiscation of vessels have led to chronic anxiety and financial instability in the vulnerable coastal regions of the state.

Concluding his plea, CM Stalin requested the Ministry of External Affairs to take immediate and urgent steps to facilitate the swift return of the released fishermen.

He urged the Central Government to ensure that the diplomatic process is expedited so that these citizens can be reunited with their families without further delay, stressing that the ongoing situation has deeply disrupted the social fabric of the affected communities.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary