DMK's fast' first step towards permanent solution: Stalin

Madurai, Jul 21 (UNI) Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Local Administration Minister M K Stalin today claimed that the recent state-level day-long fast, organised by the party to condemn the killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy, was a success and the first step towards finding a permanent solution to fishermen's issues.

In a chat with newspersons here last evening, Mr Stalin said the External Affairs Ministry had summoned Sri Lankan Envoy to India C R Jayasinghe to lodge its strong protest against the incident in which two Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly shot by the Lankan Navy.

This was a moral victory for the party, which was seeking retrieval of Katchatheevu Islands, ceded to Sri Lanka to safeguard the interests of our fishermen, he added.

He said retrieval of the island would alone pave way for a permanent solution to the issue.

To a query, he said the party high command would decide on the future course of action on the issue.

UNI GSM SJ JT PM1212