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Jayalalithaa writes to Manmohan

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 10. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, has urged the Union Government to find a "long-term and permanent" solution to the problem of violence against Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay region.

In a demi-official letter sent to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday, she referred to the latest incident in which the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire on Tamil Nadu fishermen in Indian territorial waters near the Kachatheevu island late on Monday, resulting in the death of Ramu of Rameswaram. Also, 19 fishermen, who left Nagapattinam on August 3, were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy the next day. As on date, 29 fishermen from the State and 87 boats were under the custody of the authorities of the island-nation.

The fishermen of Tamil Nadu depended essentially on fishing in the waters around Kachatheevu for their livelihood, the Chief Minister said and added that she had repeatedly drawn the Centre's attention to the incidents of violence. "I have already taken up this burning issue with the Government of India, urging that the traditional rights and privileges of the Indian fishermen to carry on their normal occupation of fishing in these waters will have to be recognised early and a suitable working arrangement devised."

Requesting the Prime Minister to direct the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka to intervene and take urgent steps for the release of the fishermen, she also wanted him to register a "strong protest" against the latest killing.

Recalling that she had earlier suggested taking Kachatheevu on lease in perpetuity as a permanent solution, the Chief Minister said: "The time has come to ensure that a finality is reached on this issue by the Government of India without further delay." She sent a similar letter addressed to the External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh. Earlier, the Chief Minister announced a solatium of Rs. 1 lakh for the family of the deceased fisherman.

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