Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa has demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh facilitate a dialogue between fishermen associations in the state and Sri Lanka in December in Chennai, to discuss ways and means to avoid instances of attacks on and arrests of fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, by Lankan naval personnel.
The associations had represented to the state to facilitate such talks and requested the chief minister to fix the venue and time and, hence, she proposed that arrangements be made to have the next round of talks here in December.
“Even as I am writing this letter to you, information has reached me that the Sri Lankan Navy has on Sept. 19, apprehended 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu along with five mechanised boats,” she said.
Stating that the Lankan navy “continues to act with impunity” despite two round of talks, she said it was “disappointing that the external affairs ministry and Coast Guard continued to be in denial and also indirectly endorsed the line taken by the Lankan government”.
The talks should focus on commitments made in previous discussions to thoroughly abjure from violent attacks on fishermen, their abduction or detention. They should reiterate the traditional rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and find ways to facilitate repatriation of Indian fishermen abducted by the Lankan Navy. The parleys should not compromise her stand on Katchatheevu. The resolutions would be subject to clearance of the state government, she emphasised.