Jaya condemns TN Govt on Lankan Navy firing

Chennai, Jul 13: Strongly condemning Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for not taking any action in preventing frequent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa on Sunday, July 13, said her party will take all steps as the principal opposition party to help Tamil Nadu fishermen get all rights.

In a release here this morning, Ms Jayalalithaa asked the DMK Government to ask the Centre to secure a guarantee from the Sri Lankan Government ensuring such incidents do not recur. Referring to yesterday's incident in which two fishermen were killed and another injured in firing by the Lankan Navy while they were fishing in the waters off Point Calimere, the former Chief Minister said the State Government had the duty to solve the issue.

She also appealed to the Tamil Nadu Government to grant a solatium of Rs five lakh to the family members of each deceased fishermen besides ensuring high quality medical care for the injured person.

Ms Jayalalithaa said in the last two years of the DMK regime in Tamil Nadu, agriculture growth fell, industrial growth slackened and Handloom Sector too had suffered. To add to the woes, fishermen were subjected to grief, with Sri Lankan Navy frequently attacking them. Mr Karunanidhi's 'selfish nature' has resulted in all sections of the people suffering and now fishermen were struggling for a living, she alleged.

The Tamil Nadu Government had a duty to solve their problems and ensure their protection, she added.

UNI