Meeting of Indian and Lankan fishermen reps soon: Narayanasamy

In the backdrop of repeated attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and the heat it generated in Tamil Nadu, the Centre plans to organise a meeting of fishermen representatives of both the countries to find an amicable solution over fishing in Palk Strait, Minsiter of State in PMO V Narayanasamy said today.
The meeting, likely to be convened shortly, would also decide on the days when fishing should be undertaken by the respective country's fishermen and the fishing area to put an end to the existing trouble, he told reporters here.
Frequent attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy has led to criticism that the fishing community were not being adequately protected, he pointed out, and wanted Indian Coastguard and Navy to provide better patrol and security for the fishermen.

Narayanasamy said India would take up the issue of frequent attacks on Indian fishermen with Sri Lankan High Commission officials in New Delhi as there was no let up in such incidents even after recent talks External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had with the Island nation President Mahinda Rajapaka.
He said investigations were on into the private ship owned by a US firm, which was detained last week off the Tuticorin port for illegally carrying weapons and straying into the Indian waters.
Yesterday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa hit out at the Centre for meeting out stepmotherly treatment to Tamil Nadu fishermen who have been facing constant attack from Sri Lankan Navy, while it took firm steps in opposing similar action on Gujarat fishermen from the Pakistan side.