Search still on to trace missing TN fishermen: Samy

Chennai, May 14 (UNI) The Coast Guard was continuing its search operations to trace the 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were reported missing for the last 12 days, Fisheries Minister K P P Samy informed the state Assembly today.

Replying to a special call attention motion given notice of by the opposition AIADMK and the PMK, he said the fate of the fishermen was yet to be ascertained.

''The Coast Guard is continuing its search operations to trace them'', he added.

Earlier, raising the issue Mr D Jayakumar (AIADMK) and Mr T Velmurugan (PMK) said the fishermen, hailing from Thangachi Madam in Rameswaram, had ventured into the sea 12 days back and were yet to return to the shore.

They said there was an apprehension that the fishermen may have been abducted or killed by Lankan Navy personnel.

Mr Jayakumar also recalled the recent incidents of attack and killing of Indian fishermen in high seas by the Lankan navy personnel and wanted the government to take effective steps to trace them.

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