Leaders condemn killing of 5 Indian fishermen by Lankan Navy

Chennai, Mar 30 (UNI) Leaders of various political parties, including the Opposition AIADMK and its ally MDMK, today condemned the killing of five fishermen from Kaniyakumari by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a statement here, AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa accused the ruling DMK and the UPA government at the Centre, in which the DMK is one of the partner, of not taking a firm stand on the issue to prevent such incidents.

Condemning the killings, she said time had come to take steps on a warfooting to prevent such killings and urged the Centre and the state governments to be more vigilant and take firm steps to prevent such incidents.

Announcing a solatium of Rs 25,000 each to the families of the five deceased fishermen and Rs 5000 each to the injured, Ms Jayalalithaa said her party would stage a protest demonstration on April two in front of the Kanniyakumari district collectorate to condemn the attacks.

She also charged the DMK government with not taking any steps to trace the 12 fishermen from Kanniyakumari, who were reported missing since March six.

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, strongly condemning the killings, accused the Centre and the state governments of failing in their duty to protect their citizens.

''While any country in the world will severe its diplomatic ties if its people are subjected to continued attacks by other nation, the Indian government has betrayed the interests of its fishermen by maintaining silence on the recurring attacks by the Lankan Navy,'' he charged.

CPI(M) General Secretary N Varadharajan also condemed the killings and said the government should ensure the safety of the innocent fishermen and provide adequate compensation to the family of the victims.

He also urged the state and the Centre to take adequate steps to stop the killings.

The Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) also condemed the killing and demanded adequate compensation to the affected families.

UNI