LTTE denies involvement in killing, abducting fishermen: Vaiko

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, May 1 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko tonight claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eeelam (LTTE) has denied its involvement in the killing of five fishermen and abduction of 12 others.

Addressing a May Day rally here, he said the LTTE had issued a statement denying the involvement of Sea Tigers in the killing of five fishermen, hailing from Kanyakumari district.

Mr Vailo quoted the LTTE as having said it was only an act of Sri Lankan Navy. ''The Lankan Navy has killed more than 300 Indian fishermen and was trying to put the blame on the Sea Tigers to built up a case for joint patrolling,'' it claimed.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police D Mukherjee had said 12 fishermen, including 10 belonging to Kanyakumari, one each from Tuticorin and Kerala, who set out to sea on March 4, had been abducted by a group of Sea Tigers and kept in their control in a camp.

In morning today, Mr Mukherjee told newspersons that the fishermen, held captive by 'Sea Tigers', wing of the LTTE, were safe and efforts were on to secure their release.

UNI