Centre's meek response emboldens Lankan Navy: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa alleged the central government's "meet and pusillanimous response" to attacks on Indian fishermen has emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Nov 22 text of which was released to the media here Saturday, Jayalalithaa while referring to the apprehension of Indian fishermen, said: "The meek and pusillanimous response of the government of India to these repeated instances of apprehension have emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy to illegally arrest and detain more and more of our fishermen."

Jayalalithaa said 20 Indian fishermen were abducted by the Sri Lankan Navy Nov 21 along with their five fishing boats while fishing in the waters of Palk Bay.

She said Nov 21 also happened to be World Fisheries Day.

"When the global fishermen community was in a festive mood, celebrating World Fisheries Day, this dastardly act of the Sri Lankan Navy has again cast a pall of gloom over our innocent fishermen and their families," Jayalalithaa said.

She urged Manmohan Singh to personally intervene and secure the release of 80 fishermen, including the 60 arrested earlier, and the 47 Indian fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody.