Steps being taken to release boats: Tamil Nadu official

RAMESWARAM: The Tamil Nadu government is taking steps to secure the release of fishermen boats impounded in Sri Lanka, a top fisheries department official said on Monday.
Commissioner of fisheries Beela Rajesh, on a visit to this island and nearby areas, stated this while interacting with fishermen.
Rajesh, who visited various localities here on the advice of chief minister Jayalalithaa to scout for a suitable place for the proposed fishing harbour, was responding to requests made by the fishermen.
Fishermen from five associations urged the commissioner to secure the release of their boats seized by Sri Lanka. They also requested the government to arrange for repairing boats which got damaged due to rough sea or due to attack by the Sri Lankan naval men.
Jayalalithaa had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over increasing frequencies of arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.
The fishermen also wanted the government to provide some relief for the families of the fishermen who went missing while fishing. The commissioner assured she would convey their demand for compensation to the chief minister.
The fishermen said government should provide them alternative jobs if it wanted them not to fish in traditional waters. The commissioner advised them not to cross the IMBL.