Karuna to take up killing of fishermen with PM

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) With two Indian fishermenbeing allegedly killed by Sri Lankan Navy in the past 15 days,Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will raise the issuewith Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow and ask him totell Colombo not to resort to firing.

Karunanidhi, who arrived here today on a three-dayvisit, said he has been raising the issue with Singh now andthen and will broach the topic again tomorrow.

"I have been discussing the fishermen issue with Singhon several occasions. I will raise the issue tomorrow also,"he told reporters at the Tamil Nadu House here.

DMK sources said Karunanidhi will tell Singh that SriLanka should desist from firing at fishermen who allegedlycross the International Maritime Border and enter Lankanwaters.

"He will ask the Prime Minister to tell Colombo todesist from firing at the fishermen. He will also tell Singhthat India should convey its strong protest," the sourcessaid.

The meeting will take place at a time when ForeignSecretary Nirupama Rao is in Colombo to take up the issue ofIndian fishermen who have been killed allegedly by the SriLankan navy.

She is expected to meet Foreign Minister G L Peirisand other senior Foreign Ministry officials and lodge India�sstrong protest over the issue.

Rao was asked by External Affairs Minister S M Krishnato travel to Colombo tomorrow to discuss with the Sri Lankangovernment the killing of Indian fishermen.

Reflecting the political sensitivities in Tamil Nadu,India has already reacted very strongly to the incidents inwhich two Indian fishermen were killed in the span of onemonth, notwithstanding Sri Lankan government''s claim that itsnavy was not involved.