Find a mutually acceptable solution for bottom trawling: VCK urges Jaishankar

VCK president urges External Affairs Minister to address bottom trawling issue in Palk Strait during Sri Lanka visit

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday (December 14, 2024) urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take steps for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the problem of bottom trawling in the Palk Strait.

He made the appeal in light of Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake‘s three-day visit to India, starting on Sunday (December 15, 2024)

In a letter presented personally by him and Villupuram’s Member of Parliament D. Ravikumar to the Minister, the VCK leader suggested that opportunities for alternative livelihood be generated for fishermen working on daily wages for bottom trawling [in the event of abolition of the method of fishing]. Apart from strengthening the coastal security, an action plan should be drawn up to ensure the release of arrested fishermen and impounded fishing vessels.

In a post on his social media handle, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran called for an end to “excesses” of the Sri Lankan Navy on fishermen of Tamil Nadu and the release of the arrested fishermen.

Published - December 15, 2024 05:56 pm IST