As many as 68 fishermen and 10 boats have been taken into custody, said the MEA Spokesperson

India has expressed its concern over the detention of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan authorities between December 18 and 20.

“We are concerned at the detention of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan authorities between 18-20 December 2021. As per our information, 68 fishermen and 10 boats have been taken into custody,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday in response to media queries regarding the detention of Indian fishermen.

He said officials from the Consulate General of India, Jaffna, have met the detained fishermen and are providing all necessary support.

This includes clothes, toiletries, snacks, dry essentials and masks, besides facilitating phone calls to relatives. They are also arranging legal representation, the MEA Spokesperson said.

In the case of one fisherman who was indisposed, the Indian Consular Officer has visited him in hospital to check on his welfare, he added.

“Our High Commission in Colombo has taken up the issue of early release of the Indian fishermen and boats with the Government of Sri Lanka,” Bagchi informed.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as per the MEA Spokesperson, has received representations on this issue from various political parties.

He was also called on by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the MEA Spokesperson maintained.

The EAM has apprised them of the current situation and underlined the Government of India’s efforts to secure early release, the Spokesperson added.