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Prosecute Sri Lankan Navy personnel: PMK

PUDUCHERRY: The Pattali Makkal Katchi on Monday flayed the recurring attacks on Indian fishermen and demanded prosecution of the Sri Lankan Navy personnel who were involved in such “unlawful attacks.”

In a letter to Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, leader of the PMK’s Parliamentary Party M. Ramadass referred to the recent attacks by the island Navy including the one on July 11. The United Progressive Alliance government “should not push the fishermen community to the brink of such a helpless situation,” he said. The Centre should evolve and implement a comprehensive policy to protect the fishermen of Tamil Nadu from the “indiscriminate attacks of the Sri Lankan Navy,” he said.

Mr. Ramadass said the Ministry of External Affairs should summon the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to India and express concern to the island government and impress upon them the imperative need to issue orders of prosecution of the Navy personnel who had indulged in such heinous crimes.

With a view to preventing the “unlawful entry” of the Sri Lankan Navy into the Indian waters, the Indian Navy should patrol the border round the clock, he said.

Mr. Ramadass stressed the need for installing lamps to demarcate the Indo-Sri Lankan border in the night. “Under any circumstance, the Sri Lankan Navy should be kept 100 m away from the Indian border and should be prevented from entering the border,” Mr. Ramadass said.

If Sri Lanka failed to take action to stop the atrocities against the Indian fishermen, the Centre should “reconsider its decision to participate in the forthcoming SAARC meeting” slated for August 2 and 3 in the island, Mr. Ramadass said.

In the event of participating in the meet, India should “express its concern strongly over the plight of Tamil Nadu fishermen to the Sri Lankan government and persuade it to take permanent measures to curb these inhuman acts.”

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