Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090860920800.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi again writes to Manmohan on fishermen issue

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Taking exception to the inhuman treatment of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, conveying the deep anguish of fisherfolk.

Noting that Sri Lanka had ignored the issue of harassment of the fishermen by its Navy despite strong protests by the State government and the intervention of the Prime Minister at the SAARC summit, Mr. Karunanidhi pointed out that he had been writing repeatedly on the subject to Dr. Singh.

Alluding to the firing at Kodiakarai on September 4, Mr. Karunanidhi said, “It is needless to say that the Sri Lankan Navy does not reciprocate the goodwill shown by the Indian Coast Guard and the Navy in dealing with Sri Lankan fishermen apprehended for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Indian waters.”

The Sri Lankan Navy continued to open fire recklessly, against the international laws of the sea, resulting in the injury and even death of Indian fishermen in the seas, he said. Since January 2006, 27 shooting incidents had taken place, resulting in the death of eight people, with injuries to 24 others.

A further 342 fishermen had been apprehended, he said.

In spite of assurances given by the Government of India, he said fishermen were reluctant to carry out their trade for fear of attack by the Sri Lankan Navy.

He noted that the Sri Lankan Navy denied the occurrence of all incidents of apprehension or shooting of fishermen.

He asked the Prime Minister to take up the issue with the Sri Lankan government immediately to make sure that restraint was observed by the Sri Lankan Navy in their operations.