Insta
Rs 26 Lakh To Release One Fisherman? That’s What Sri Lankan Court Charges, But Tamil Nadu CM Wants It ‘Free’
Swarajya Staff
Oct 17, 2018, 08:37 PM | Updated 08:37 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was urged by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Eddapadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday ( October 17) to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to organise an effective defence in the Sri Lankan courts to release eight Indian fishermen without serving a jail term or paying a fine.
The Sri Lankan Coast Guard arrested the fishermen on 21 August on the pretext of them illegally wading into Sri Lankan waters and fishing. They were convicted by a Lankan court under the provisions of Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters and imposed a fine of LKR 60 lakh per head (Rs 26 lakh). The court also ordered a three-month prison term if the penalty was not paid.
“I am writing this letter with deep concern regarding a new development in which a Sri Lankan court has imposed fine on our fishermen,” Palaniswami said in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, as reported by TOI.
Steps were taken by the Centre with the complete support of the Tamil Nadu Government to find a permanent solution to this issue. The verdict delivered by the Lankan Court was a mockery of the diplomatic efforts made by the Indian government to solve the problem, the Chief Minister said, adding, “This has created a sense of panic in the minds of the fishermen in Tamil Nadu.”
Fisheries minister D Jayakumar had previously condemned the verdict saying, “The fishermen ventured into the sea to eke out a livelihood. It would not be possible to pay the fine even if they engaged in fishing throughout their life. The imprisonment and imposing of a fine is unacceptable and condemnable.”
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.