Lankan Navy attack on Indian fishermen: DMK to stage demo

Chennai, Mar 10 (UNI) The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu will stage a protest demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Embassy here tomorrow to condemn the recurring attacks on Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy personnel.

State Fisheries Minister K P P Samy will lead the demonstration in the presence of DMK Treasurer and Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, a party release said today.

State and Central Ministers, party MLAs, various district functionaries of the DMK, fisherfolk and fishermen organisations, would participate in the demonstration.

The release said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had sent several letters to the Prime Minister expressing anguish over the frequent attacks on fishermen hailing from Rameswaram and confiscation of boats by the Lankan Navy.

Mr Karunanidhi, who had issued several statements condemning the Lankan government for the continued attacks on fishermen, had on March five said that Tamil Nadu fishermen would not keep their hands tied if such incidents continued.

Noting that this month alone four such incidents had taken place, he warned that ''if the attacks continued, no one should think that the hands of Tamil Nadu fishermen will engage in fishing alone''.

The party also condemned last night's killing of Indian fisherman Christopher of Rameswaram by the Lankan Navy and said tomorrow's demonstration was in line with the warning issued by Mr Karunanidhi.

UNI