Chief Minister M K Stalin’s demand for the repatriation of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were caught illegally fishing in the country’s territorial waters, has come to the notice of the Maldives High Commission.

There were 12 Indian fishermen on board the boat, which was seized for illegal fishing in the country’s territorial waters on May 22.

The Fisheries Ministry had imposed a fine on the boat and informed it that it would not be able to take off unless the payment was made. According to The Hindu, the country’s Fisheries Ministry imposed a fine of Rs 42,000 on the boat and directed it to pay the amount within 30 days. The amount has not been paid till date after the directive.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a letter to India’s External Affairs S. Jaishankar, said the detained fishermen and their families live on what they get from fishing and the fine they had to pay was too high. Therefore, he asked Jaishankar to get involved and try to secure the release of the fishermen.

Stalin said the boat, which had left for fish on the first day of last month, was fishing as per rules and did not enter the Maldives borders. He said that if Jaishankar works, the fishermen will be free.

I believe if (Jaishankar) gets into it, they will be let off. They can return to their family. The families are facing a very difficult situation right now.

The letter read.

In response, the Indian High Commission of Maldives on “X” said that it was closely monitoring the situation of the fishermen and their family members. Efforts are on to send the fishermen back to India, it said.

The High Commission is working closely with the Maldives to address this issue.

it said.

Update on 12 Indian Fishermen in Maldives:@HCIMaldives in regular contact with fishermen & their families in 🇮🇳 to ensure their welfare. Efforts are on to repatriate them to India expeditiously.@HCIMaldives also actively pursuing with Maldives for speedy resolution of matter.

— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) November 7, 2023