CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting that the Government "work out a perpetual lease of Katchathivu" island with Sri Lanka for the benefit of Indian fishermen.

The two-page letter, said the lease would facilitate "fishing, drying of nets and pilgrimage within the purview of the existing agreement."

"I would be grateful if you could kindly look into this and use your good offices to resolve this long pending issue and restore the traditional rights of Indian fishermen in the waters in and around Katchathivu and impress upon the Sri Lankan Government to instruct their Navy to desist from harming innocent Indians, more specifically fishermen from Tamil Nadu who solely depend on fishing... for their livelihood," he said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the press. Noting that there had been "a number of incidents of attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy" on fishermen from Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said that in the latest occurrence on September 8, four fishermen were intercepted near Velankanni within Indian waters, their catch was snatched, they were manhandled, pushed into the sea and ordered to swim to safety. Two of the fishermen were feared drowned. The incident caused "deep anguish and distress" among fishermen and led to spontaneous protests.

"Sri Lankan Navy" was now "preventing fishermen from Tamil Nadu from fishing" in India's territorial waters.

Mr. Karunanidhi reminded the Prime Minister that the Chief Secretary had earlier this month written to the Foreign Secretary requesting him to expedite restoration of traditional fishing rights for Indian fishermen in and around Katchathivu in the Palk Bay.

Recalling a 1991 Assembly resolution Mr. Karunanidhi said the Centre's attention was repeatedly drawn to the incidents of violence Indian fishermen were subjected to in the region.

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