The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Plea for patrolling under one command

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Plea for patrolling under one command

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi writes to Manmohan Singh

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday urged the Centre to bring the patrolling along the Tamil Nadu coast under "one single command," in view of "some confusion in this matter."

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he also demanded an investigation into the attack on a boat carrying Tamil Nadu fishermen, 35 nautical miles off Kanyakumari on March 29 by an "unidentified group."

Recalling his letters to Dr. Singh on February 27, February 28 and March 7, Mr. Karunanidhi said: "I am deeply shocked and pained that such atrocities continue unabated against the Tamil Nadu fishermen at sea."

He sought urgent action to find a solution to the "vexatious issue."

Two deaths

Mr. Karunanidhi said two fishermen died on the spot and one in the government hospital at Asaripallam near Nagercoil.

"Two more fishermen are presumably dead and had fallen off into the water at the time of firing itself. Search is on for the two bodies. The four surviving fishermen are reported to be in a state of shock and have been admitted to hospital."

According to preliminary information obtained from the surviving fishermen, two boats, measuring 40-45 feet in length, approached the Indian fishing boat from the Sri Lankan side. Without any provocation or warning, they opened fire. One of the two "alien boats" reportedly had the name `Marya' painted on it. "All the attackers numbering twenty were youngsters, either bare-chested or in casual dress."

Both the boats fled quickly.

The Chief Minister said he had no words to convey his anguish and distress as such cruel incidents continued despite the assurance of the Sri Lankan Government at the highest level and also the presence of the Indian Coast Guard in India's exclusive economic zone.

The fishermen and the public in the coastal districts were agitated, he said. Unless some stern measures were taken by the Government to make the Indian waters safe for fishing, the situation might go out of control.

Mr. Karunanidhi urged Dr. Singh to order an investigation to "find out the identity of the attackers and their international connections."

He also demanded enhanced presence of the Coast Guard and the Navy for intensive sea and air patrolling with additional manpower and state-of-the-art vessels and aircraft.

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