Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar to request the country to waive the fine imposed on Indian fishermen who were fined MVR 24 million.

On October 22, MNDF reported a fishing boat was caught illegally fishing in the country's territorial waters. According to a report in an Indian daily news, 12 fishermen of the vessel were apprehended along with the vessel and fined MVR 24 million.

In his letter to Jaishankar, Stalin said the fishermen are reliant on their daily fisheries to feed themselves and that they do not have the capacity to pay the fine, which may make them and their family permanently indebted.

Stalin urged Jaishankar to appeal to Maldives to waive off their fines and release them and the fishing boat.