Puducherry government to seek Centre's intervention to release Indian fishermen

The Puducherry government on Tuesday assured that it would seek the Centre`s intervention to secure the release of six fishermen, arrested recently by the Sri Lankan Navy on drug trafficking charges, Indian media reported.

The assurance was given by the Puducherry Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan when he met the fishermen of 11 hamlets  who are on an indefinite strike since April 3, condemning the arrest of their colleagues.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy had already urged the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka to take steps to secure the release of the innocent fishermen, he said and appealed to the protesters to suspend their agitation and resume fishing. 

"The Chief Minister has now proceeded to New Delhi...He has planned to meet the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister and will take up this issue with them," he was quoted as  telling  the family members of the arrested fishermen, according to the NYOOOZ website.

On April 2, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested six Karaikal fishermen off Neduntheevu in Sri Lanka for allegedly possessing 13.5 kg of cocaine valued at over Rs 16 crore.