This Article is From Jul 08, 2010

Killing of fishermen: Karunanidhi asks Centre to act tough against Sri Lanka

Killing of fishermen: Karunanidhi asks Centre to act tough against Sri Lanka
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday appealed to the Centre to take strict action to prevent the killing of fishermen from the state allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy at mid-sea.

Responding to the killing of a 55-year-old fisherman and "torture" of three more allegedly by Lankan Navy personnel last night, Karunanidhi also asked the Centre to inform the people of the state about the truth behind the incident. (Read: Fisherman killed in alleged attack by Lankan Navy)

"Such things have become routine and despite the state government raising the issue with the Prime Minister or other Ministers concerned, no solution has been found. And the Centre, with an intention of pacifying us, writes a letter to the Sri Lankan government whenever such an incident happens. But there has been no end to such (alleged) attacks," he said.

Recalling the recent understanding between Delhi and Colombo, he said the Lankan Navy was violating undertakings by that government that fishermen from Tamil Nadu, even if they violate international maritime boundary line, would not be assaulted but made to undergo due legal procedure.

"The Centre should immediately intervene and ensure such incidents do not recur. It should also inform the people of the state (about) the truth behind the latest incident," he said in an official statement here.

.