Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramdoss on Friday released a statement strongly condemning the reports that Sri Lankan government was auctioning the boats seized from the Indian fishermen, and said “the act of the Island government has shocked Indian fishermen.”

He has said the boats seized had not been maintained and therefore have been damaged, reports said. The SL navy had seized 72 boats from all over Tamil Nadu, he had said. Now, they were planning to auction the boats, he alleges.

The Indian Coast Guard was properly maintaining the boats seized from the Sri Lankan fishermen and protecting them, Ramdoss has said.

He has also stated that as per an fishing arrangement entered into between Sri Lanka and India on October 26, 2008, Indian fishermen could enter and fish in the traditional areas, except in the areas of security concern and importance or sensitiveness off Sri Lankan coast. The arrangement also stressed that the fishermen should not be subjected to any problem including imprisonment if they were arrested.

However, the Sri Lankan government has chosen to ignore this arrangement, Ramdoss reportedly has said. Sri Lanka was also seizing their boats and crippling them. More than 700 families had been affected by the seizure of 72 boats, Ramdoss has stated.

Both the Tamil Nadu and central governments had not realised the gravity of the situation and were ignoring the problem of the fishermen, without taking any steps, he alleged.