Fishermen issue: Centre shares State's concern

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said the Centre shared the the Tamil Nadu government's concern when Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who met him here took up the issue of "brutal attacks" by the Sri Lankan Navy on the State's fishermen.

Mr. Karunanidhi, who is here on a three-day visit to participate in the conference on internal security and to hold seat sharing talks with the Congress, wanted the Centre to advise the island government "in strong terms to refrain from such uncalled-for attacks."

The Prime Minister, according to a press release issued here, told him that he had already directed External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to depute a high-level delegation to Colombo to "personally convey our serious concern" to the Sri Lankan government. Accordingly a team, led by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, was already there in Sri Lanka on Monday and taking up the issue, he pointed out.

On the Tamil Nadu government's request for release of Rs.1,832 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund by the Centre to carry out relief and restoration works in the flood-affected districts, Dr. Singh assured Mr. Karunanidhi that a decision would be taken by the Central high-level committee very soon.

When the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister requested Dr. Singh to strengthen the presence of Indian Navy and Coast Guard in the international maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka to prevent attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen, [...]