Arrange dialogue between TN, SL fishermen: Jaya to PM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to facilitate a dialogue between fishermen associations in the state and Sri Lanka here in December following frequent attacks and arrests of fishermen by naval personnel of the island nation.

"I am writing to you in the context of a proposal to facilitate a dialogue between fishermen associations in Tamil Nadu and their counterparts in Sri Lanka with a view to discuss ways and means to avoid instances of attacks on and arrests of fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu", she said in a letter to Singh.

She said the associations have represented to government to facilitate such talks and requested her to fix the venue and time for it, following which she proposed arrangements may be made to have the next round of talks here in December.

"Even as I am writing this letter to you, information has reached me that the Sri Lankan Navy has on September 19, apprehended 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu along with five mechanised boats", she said.

The talks, she said, should focus on commitments made in previous discussions to thoroughly "abjure" from violent attacks on the fishermen and to desist (Sri Lankan Navy) from "unfriendly" acts on them like abduction, detention and long periods of incarceration in Sri Lankan jails.

Jayalalithaa requested Singh to instruct the agencies concerned to accord necessary clearances for the meeting and to communicate to the State on the list of participants from Sri Lanka.(PTI)