The Hindu : Front Page : CM opposes joint patrolling to prevent attacks on fishermen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007
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CM opposes joint patrolling to prevent attacks on fishermen

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has informed the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister that he was against any joint patrolling by the Naval forces of India and Sri Lanka to prevent attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen.

An official release on Tuesday said he had written to them that joint patrolling would only complicate the situation.

He said the only way the issue could be resolved was by impressing upon the Sri Lankan Government to instruct its Navy to desist from firing on innocent fishermen of Tamil Nadu.

Tight surveillance

He wanted surveillance by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard tightened. The Chief Minister suggested the operation of an Offshore Patrol Vessel with a helicopter from Tuticorin under the exclusive control of the Eastern Command of the Coast Guard in the Gulf of Mannar region.

A Coast Guard station should be established at Kanyakumari, equipped with two state-of-the-art patrol and interception boats.

Reiterating the need to strengthen the security in the region with the aid of the Navy and the Coast Guard, he said the only way to solve the issue was to ask the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that its Navy desisted from attacking the fishermen of Tamil Nadu.

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