CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday wrote to Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, urging him to take immediate steps to secure the release of all Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In his letter, the Chief Minister said that seven fishermen from Mayiladuthurai district were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday.

Recalling earlier incidents, Stalin said that a total of 254 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu and 90 fishermen, including those detained in the latest incident, are currently in the custody of Sri Lanka.

"The continued incarceration of fishermen and impounding of boats adversely affect the families dependent on them and push them into financial hardship," he said.

Appealing to the Union government to intervene, Stalin urged the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the issue through appropriate diplomatic channels to secure the immediate release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats.