(UTV|COLOMBO) – Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M. K. Stalin on Tuesday (16) expressed shock over a Sri Lankan Court imposing a fine of Indian Rs. 60 lakh each on eight Indian fishermen arrested on 08 August this year for fishing in the territorial waters of the island nation. Stalin said imposing such a huge fine is violation of human rights, the Times of India reported.
“It is shocking to know that a Sri Lankan Court, a few days ago, directed eight fishermen from Tuticorin to pay Rs. 60 lakh each as fine and sentenced them to three months imprisonment,” Stalin said in a statement.
He said, “Even though we call Sri Lanka a friendly country, it has hit India on its back by arresting the fishermen and imposing fine them.”
Stalin said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government at the Centre and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Government in Tamil Nadu had not spoken out against the judgment.
In January this year, the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a bill to impose a huge fine on fishermen crossing the border. “The DMK opposed the Act passed by Sri Lanka to fine Indian fishermen, but the Centre did not bother to oppose it,” he said.
Stalin wanted the Centre to hold talks with the Sri Lankan Government and ensure that the fishermen from Tuticorin return home.
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