TN CM welcomes Lanka proposal for jt monitoring of IMBL

Chennai, Mar 12 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today welcomed Sri Lanka's reported proposal for a joint monitoring of the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) by Indian and Lankan Navies, saying such a mechanism would ensure the safety of fishermen of the state.

On the protest demonstration staged by the ruling DMK in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission here against attacks on Tamil fishermen by the Lankan Navy on international waters, he said Deputy High Commissioner P M Amza had informed State Ministers that the Indian Prime Minister's Office had sought details from the island nation in this regard.

Expressing regret over the attacks on Indian fishermen, the Centre had also told the Sri Lankan Government that such incidents were unacceptable, he said.

The Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner also informed that his Government had agreed to a joint inspection of the IMBL by Indian and Lankan Navies to avoid recurrence of such incidents, he said and added that ''we expect such a joint mechanism will ensure the safety of Tamil fishermen.'' Scores of DMK cadre and functionaries, led by State Fisheries Minister K P P Samy, staged a demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in protest against attacks on Indian fishermen.

Later, a Ministerial team comprising Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, Local Administration Minister M K Stalin and Public Works Minister Duraimurugan, presented a petition to the Deputy High Commissioner.

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