Fishermen's arrest unacceptable- Manmohan

17 February 2011 04:08 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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New Delhi: India on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the fate of its fishermen, allegedly apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy, and said it has been conveyed to the Sri Lankan government that such actions by its navy were unacceptable.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told TV channels' editors during an interaction here that the arrest of 118 fishermen on 18 trawlers by the Sri Lankan Navy has been taken up with Colombo and it was also conveyed that this sort of behaviour was not acceptable among neighbourly nations.

'We are taking up this matter with the Sri Lankan government. We take a serious view (of what has happened),' he said.

'I think only this month the foreign secretary was sent to make a strong demarche to the Sri Lankan government that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable among neighbourly countries,' Singh added.

Later in the day, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, responding to a query on the attacks on Indian fishermen, said the issue was a matter of concern for the government and that it was constantly monitoring the situation.

'Our government is very much concerned about the fate of Indian fishermen,' Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a South Asian security conference.

'We are constantly monitoring the developments there. We are taking the issue with Sri Lankan government. We are in constant touch with Colombo,' he said, when asked about the recent killing of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu when they entered the Sri Lankan waters.

'We will do everything possible to protect the interests of Indian fishermen,' he said.

At another event, navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, replying to a query on the same issue, said: 'The issue was highlighted during the visit of the Sri Lankan president also. The joint working group on fisheries is supposed to address these issues and that is the way to resolve it.'

Sri Lanka has said it took the Indian fishermen into custody after they strayed into Sri Lankan waters.

The arrest of the fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy has turned into a major political issue in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK, a component of the United Progressive Alliance government, holding a massive protest in Chennai and over 2,000 party workers courting arrests, seeking the fishermen's release by Sri Lanka.

The DMK protest march towards the Sri Lankan consulate in Chennai was stopped by the police, who also arrested over 2,000 party workers, including MPs and legislators.

Among those arrested were DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimohzi, daughter of party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, and Lok Sabha member T.K.S. Elangovan.

Condemning the arrests of fishermen that allegedly took place Tuesday night, Kanimozhi said attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka continued despite several steps taken by the Tamil Nadu and the central governments. She demanded the immediate release of the detained fishermen.

Source; Sify news

Related links:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/9838-indian-fishermen-netted-again.html
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/9817-more-90-indian-fishermen-apprehended-.html

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Comments - 30

Appuhamy Thursday, 17 February 2011 09:19 AM

Indians are fishing in the muddy water!

rohith Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:02 PM

Why can not Sri Lanka take action against poachers.

pissa Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:59 PM

so should we just allow them to fish in our territory?

Osanda Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:49 PM

We aren't a state in India...so don’t wonder in our territorial waters.
Who cares about Manmohan Singhe, Why is he going to invade Sri Lanka....Bankrupt Politicians

Ping Pong Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:40 PM

Come on guys lets go to India.
No need of passports, no need of visas or any formalities.
Take a boat and go where ever you like in India.
It is acceptable according to Indian PM.

channa Thursday, 17 February 2011 03:49 PM

What is that got to do with this?

IVJ Thursday, 17 February 2011 03:48 PM

Guys, Sri Lanka is another state of India. So, they don't have to get permission to go from one state to another!!

Marikkar Thursday, 17 February 2011 03:12 PM

India fishing elements forcibly intruded into the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and definitely many more types of elements are yet to invade into to Sri lanka

sensiv Thursday, 17 February 2011 02:31 PM

They were arrested by Jaffna fisherman, not SL Navy.....
So its a joint drama by Devanada and the Indians-It is election time in India and Tamil Nadu votes are important. What I dont understand is why is Manmohan Sing getting involves instead of Sonya.

Megha Thursday, 17 February 2011 02:23 PM

They must be better off here in Sri Lankan custody than in Tamil Nadu. Beware they will seek asylum here soon!

sena Thursday, 17 February 2011 01:49 PM

Look like India is saying accept the status quo

heva Thursday, 17 February 2011 10:55 AM

did you see thomas who arreseted them.

Jayasiri Thursday, 17 February 2011 10:35 AM

What should SL government do when Indian fishemen come to Sri Lanka? Do you want us to welcome them with coffee and tea?

Noah Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:24 AM

Is this Indian election time? if so, no need to bother

Thomas Thursday, 17 February 2011 09:20 AM

Manamohan, for your information Indian fishermen were apprehended by S/L fishermen, not by Lankan Navy.

tharanga Thursday, 17 February 2011 08:58 AM

our fisherman should carefull this time,give them GPRS etc...

rodney Thursday, 17 February 2011 08:54 AM

Sri Lanka should closely work with China and Pakistan..

Fayad Bakir Thursday, 17 February 2011 08:00 AM

unacceptable fishing in SL territory ?????

Thinuka Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:51 AM

who is fire.. those who couldn't control mumbai attack for several days.. lol

Singha Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:29 AM

Dear Indian PM Please stop the poaching of SL marine resources by TN fisherman. then there will not be any problems.

ajith Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:33 AM

You should have some reason to attack poor Lanka.
Earlier it was Tamil cause,now Indian Fishermen.
This is a deliberate act by your people to antagonize Srilanka.

mani Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:31 AM

do not play with fire

SL fisherman Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:24 AM

Indian fisherman in our waters is also unacceptable - what will you do about that?

GL Peiris Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:28 AM

Zzzzzzzzzz...

nagu Thursday, 17 February 2011 05:09 AM

They were arrested by Jaffna fisherman, not SL Navy.....

Victor Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:36 AM

Poaching in other countries' waters is unacceptable too.

asoka abeywardena Thursday, 17 February 2011 04:35 AM

last time you dropped parippu, now it's your turn to eat parippu.
we do not tolerate invaders...no matter by sea or air...no matter

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Fishermen's arrest unacceptable- Manmohan

Comments - 30

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