New Delhi: A delegation of fishermen representatives from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to take steps to ensure release of Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistan and Sri Lankan jails.
According to M Ilango, Convenor of the delegation, 280 fishermen from Gujarat were jailed in Pakistan, while 81 fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry are in various Sri Lankan prisons. Besides, 780 Indian boats have been impounded by Pakistan authorities, he told reporters.
He said the Prime Minister “has assured us to look into the issue and that the fishermen and the boats will be released”.
Ilango said the representatives urged the Centre to facilitate a meeting between fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
