Chennai/UNI: Expressing grave concern over the frequent attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister MK Stalin Thursday urged External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar to secure the release of 12 fishermen and 109 boats through diplomatic channels.

In an official letter to Jaishankar, copies of which were released to the media here, Stalin said a mechanised fishing boat had ventured for fishing from Karaikal (Puducherry UT) fishing harbour along with 12 crew (5 from Mayiladuthurai district, two from Nagapattinam district and five from Karaikal district) on April one.

On Wednesday, at around 1.00 a.m., some officials of the Sri Lankan Navy assaulted the Indian fishermen, who were fishing near the East Kodiakarai area, in which four fishermen sustained injuries in their hands.

Further, the Sri Lankan Navy confiscated seven mobile phones and the fish catch.

"The frequent attacks of the Sri Lankan Navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen is a cause of grave concern and it continues unabated," the Tamil Nadu CM said and requested the Union Government to take this up strongly with the Lankan counterpart to control such elements among the country's navy, "who continue to indulge in acts of physical assault on Indian fishermen".

Stalin also requested Dr Jaishankar to prevail upon appropriate diplomatic channels for the immediate release of 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 109 fishing boats which are still under the custody of the Sri Lankan government.