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Attacks on TN fishermen frequent, says Narayanasamy

Last Updated 18 January 2011, 07:22 IST

"Fishermen from Vedaranyam and Kanyakumari generally come under attack and we have condemned such incidents. When Sri Lankan fishermen are caught (straying into Indian waters), we pardon them and release them," he said.

Speaking to reporters after calling on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at his residence, he said incidents of transgression by fishermen mainly occurred as the maritime boundary was not properly visible.

"Tamil Nadu fishermen are being frequently attacked and killed by Sri Lankan navy. The Chief Minister has written to the Centre on this issue following which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took up the matter with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse during his Indian visit last year, asking him to take steps to prevent recurrence of attacks," he said.

Narayanasamy said the Prime Minister had deputed External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to Sri Lanka to assess relief work for Tamils and also discuss the fishermen issue.

In the latest in a series of attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly by the Lankan navy, a fisherman was killed and three others were injured when they were shot at by the island republic's navy while fishing off Jegathapattinam.

To a query on ties with DMK, the Minister said that both the Prime Minister and Karunanidhi had earlier described the relations as "strong".

He also denied having any knowledge on cabinet reshuffle, which is likely in a week after the Prime Minister met President Prathiba Patil yesterday.

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(Published 18 January 2011, 07:22 IST)

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