AIADMK, MDMk welcome CPI's stir on Oct 2

Pudukkottai, Sep 29 (UNI) The opposition All India Anna DMK and MDMK would support the CPI's state-wide fasting agitation on October 2 to condemn the freqvent attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan naval personnel and to urge the Centre to ensure the safety and security of Tamils in the island nation, CPI Tamil Nadu unit Secretary T Pandiyan announced today.

Addressing a press conference here he said the decision of the two parties to support the CPI's proposed stir was welcome.

He said, even after the agitation if the Union Government does not take concrete steps for the protection of Indian fishermen, the CPI would continue its protest with the support of other Left and like minded parties.

He said despite the assurance by the Sri Lankan authorities in the recent SAARC countries conference that Indian fishermen would not be harmed, a fishrman from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu was shot dead yesterday by the Singhalese naval personnel. This was highly condemnable, he added.

He said dispite the continuing attacks on Indian fishermen, the Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have been keeping mum over the issue. The state government was also silent and this too was condemnable, he added.

He said as crude oil prices have been falling in the international market, the Centre must roll back the hike in petroleum products and the state governments should press the Centre in this regard.

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