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DMK MPs to meet Manmohan tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The Centre viewed the recent firing incidents by the Sri Lankan naval personnel, in which two fishermen from Tamil Nadu lost their lives, as “a matter of grave concern and urgency in order to ensure the safety and security of Tamil fishermen.” It would take appropriate action through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents in future.

This assurance was given by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Union Shipping Minister and leader of the DMK parliamentary group T.R. Baalu when the latter called on him here on Friday seeking the Centre’s intervention on the issue. Mr. Mukhejee asked Mr. Baalu to convey the Centre’s assurances to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

The DMK leader handed over a copy of the resolution condemning the firing incidents, passed by the DMK’s high level policy implementation committee (apex committee) which met in Chennai on Thursday.

The committee, among other things, had wanted the Centre to immediately summon the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to express the Centre’s displeasure on the incident in strong and unequivocal terms and urge the Sri Lankan government to take effective steps to prevent such incidents; intensify patrolling by the Navy and the Coast Guard along the international maritime boundary and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should convey India’s displeasure to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha when the former visited Colombo in August for the SAARC meeting.

Copies of the resolutions were also handed over to the offices of the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile all the DMK MPs led by Mr. Baalu will meet the Prime Minister on Sunday evening to submit a memorandum seeking a lasting solution to the problem.

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