Fishermen arrest: Karunanidhi seeks Modi's intervention
Expressing concern over the latest instance of arrest of 33 Indian
fishermen by Sri Lanka, DMK President M Karunanidhi sought Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to hold talks with Lankan
President Maithiripala Sirisena to find a solution to the vexed issue.
Karunanidhi, however, welcomed Sirisena's statement that his country
wanted a solution to this issue without affecting the long-standing ties
with India. “Though this (Sirisena's statement) gave some relief,
Centre, especially Modi, should focus on long-time problems of the
fishermen by holding talks with them besides state government and
discuss it directly with Sri Lankan President and take steps to
safeguard the livelihood of the fishermen,” he said. Despite three
rounds of talks between fishermen of the two countries, latest one being
held here last month, arrests of fishermen had not abated, as the latest
incident showed, Karunanidhi said in a statement here.
Sirisena had asked his navy to arrest Indian fishermen violating
their international maritime boundary, he said, adding this had caused
apprehensions among the fishermen in the state.
Business Standard
|