Tamil Nadu: One fisherman suspected dead as boat capsizes after collision

A fisherman from Tamil Nadus Rameswaram died and another went missing when their boat capsized midsea when a Sri Lankan Navy ship collided with it a senior official said here on ThursdayTwo other fishermen from the capsized boat who sustained injuries have been detained by the Sri Lankan authoritiesTaking up the issue with the Centre Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to ensure consular access adequate medical care and support to the injured as well as to bring them back to Tamil Nadu at the earliestAlso he requested the Centre to expedite the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased fisherman Malaisamy 59 to IndiaThe mechanised fishing boat capsized when the Sri Lankan Navy attempted to arrest the men onboard for illegal fishing a senior fisheries official said The four fishermen from Rameswaram who were on the boat fell into the sea when it was hitWe are gathering the particulars of the incident at sea and will submit a detailed report to the state government the senior fisheries official saidChief Minister M K Stain expressed shock and grief on hearing the news of the tragic death of Malaisamy and announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh for his familyMy deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family I have ordered to provide Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Ministers Public Relief Fund to the kin of Malaisamy who drowned the CM said in a statement hereHe pointed out that despite repeated requests both in person and through letters urging the union government to take appropriate action the arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities has continued unabatedMany precious lives would not have been lost if suitable measures had been taken at the embassy level Stalin saidLater in a letter addressed to Jaishankar Stalin sought prompt diplomatic action for consular access adequate medical care and support for the repatriation of fishermen in the custody of the Sri Lankan authoritiesI am writing this letter to express my deep concern and anguish regarding the tragic incident that occurred on July 31 involving a Sri Lankan Navy boat and an Indian fishing boat he saidThe loss of life of Indian fishermen in such circumstances is both heartbreaking and unacceptable and has left the fishing community devastated he said in the letterThe frequent intimidations by the Sri Lankan Navy have created a sense of fear and anger among the fishing community and the latest incident is clearly aimed at keeping the Tamil Nadu fishermen away from their traditional fishing waters of Palk Bay he allegedHe hoped that the matter would be given the top priority that it deserved and that prompt diplomatic action would be initiatedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever