The Tamil Nadu government on Monday requested the high commissioner of India in Sri Lanka to make legal arrangements for the release of the boats of the fishermen in the state, which are in the custody of the Lankan authorities.

As many as 81 boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen are in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities, state fisheries secretary S Vijayakumar said in a letter to high commissioner Y K Sinha.

The letter comes close on the heels of the high commission's correspondence to the state government on February 5 which stated that the boat owners were required to engage a lawyer to file a motion in the respective courts for preponing of the dates of hearing of the cases and requesting release of the boats.

"The legal expenses for the same (engaging lawyers) will be borne by the state government," the fisheries secretary said in the letter.

The state would also be deputing the assistant director of fisheries, Rameswaram, along with an inspector of fisheries with the power of attorney from the boat owners to follow up with the Sri Lankan courts for the release of fishing boats, the officer said.

The government's contention is that the boats which are berthed precariously in Sri Lankan waters have been damaged.

Vijayakumar, however, insisted the high commissioner to take up the matter once again with the Sri Lankan authorities to release the boats, without insisting on filing any applications in the court.
(Times of India)