Karunanidhi writes to PM over Lankan navy killing Indian fisherman

Chennai, Jan 13 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has sent a telegram to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, demanding his immediate intervention in stopping the killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.

"Atrocities of Lankan navy are continuing unabated in spite of repeated assurances. This incident may be taken with Lankan Government for immediate action against those responsible for shooting and killing. Your personal intervention is requested for firm action to end such killings," said Karunanidhi in his telegram.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin informed the state assembly about the Chief Minister's telegram to the Prime Minister in this regard and demanded strong action.

"We have been taking up the issue time and again with the Centre, which in turn had been taking it up with the Sri Lankan Government. The Chief Minister has sent a telegram to the Centre demanding strong action," said Stalin in reply to questions raised by the Opposition MLAs, including All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Congress, who sought to raise the issue through a special mention during the zero hour.

The AIADMK leaders pulled up the Tamil Nadu Government over the 'continued killing' of fishermen by the Lankan navy over the past four years.

"Whether the state government will just stop with writing letters to the Centre or would take any action," they asked.

A fisherman from Tamil Nadu was killed and another injured after the Sri Lankan navy opened fire on them at sea near the Tamil Nadu coast.

The fishermen belong to a village in Pudukottai, about 350 kilometres from Chennai. (ANI)