AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday deplored a Sri Lankan court reportedly ordering payment of ₹1 crore each in surety for releasing the arrested fishermen on bail.
In a statement, he said such an order went “against justice” and the Tamil Nadu fishermen were stunned by it. Despite the Sri Lankan Navy’s “continuous intimidation, attacks and arrests”, the State’s fishermen carried out fishing only because of their poverty. They were making do with meagre earnings. In this light, it was the “height of injustice” to demand ₹1 crore in surety. “If they have the capacity to pay such a sum, they would not be in this profession. That Tamil Nadu fishermen cannot pay ₹1 crore in surety is the stark reality.”
Observing that the court should have ascertained whether the fishermen were capable of making the payment, Mr. Panneerselvam said the State government was duty-bound to secure their release with the help of the Centre. He sought the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
