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Take steps to secure release of Karaikal fishermen: Ramadoss

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry Nov. 27. The PMK leader, S. Ramadoss, has called upon the Pondicherry Government to initiate steps to secure the release of the fishermen of Kottuchery near Karaikal from the Sri Lankan naval custody, where they had been detained since October 24.

In a statement here today, Dr. Ramadoss said instead of taking steps to get the fishermen released, the Government had held a function recently under the cover of Fishermen's Day just for publicity.

Actually the Administration had called it a `Fisheries Day' instead of naming it as Fishermen's Day.

Dr. Ramadoss said the function was organised by the Federation of Fishermen of Pondicherry, but none of the office bearers was associated with the function as only the Chief Minister and a few Ministers participated.

Dr. Ramadoss said the Fisheries Minister had come out with a statement that the fishermen would be rescued in a week's time, but this had not happened. How could a Minister give such a promise, which could not be realised in practice? Could a Minister continue in the post after giving an unreal assurance, he asked.

The Chief Minister had now come out with an assurance that the fishermen would be procured in a week or ten days time. This would also not be realised as the Ministry had been giving promises without knowing what was happening in Sri Lanka. If the Administration was really interested in the release of the fishermen, the Fisheries Minister and the Secretary of the Department should proceed to New Delhi and hold talks with the External Affairs Minister after getting full and actual details from the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Chennai.

If necessary, the Minister and the official could, after getting permission of the Centre, leave for Sri Lanka to hold talks with the Government there.

He said the PMK would put in its efforts in case the Administration accepted its inability in getting the fishermen released.

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