CPI asks Centre to protect Indian fishermen

Bangalore, June 19 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) today demanded that the UPA government at the Centre take urgent steps to protect the interests of Indian fishermen venturing into sea from Kachatheevu area following resumption of fighting between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Addressing newspersons here, Party National Secretary D Raja said the lives of the Indian fishermen were at stake whenever they ventured from the area for fishing as there was a possibility of them getting caught in the cross-fire. Besides ensuring their safety, the government should also clear the hindrances in their way, he added.

Mr Raja pointed out that hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were coming into the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu everyday due to the conflict and urged the Centre to lend a helping hand to the Tamil Nadu government to rehabilitate the refugees.

He said the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE should stick to the 2005 ceasefire agreement and find an amicable political solution to the deacades-old conflict.

UNI MV RG KD RN1633