Indian fishermen problem goes to central government

An Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee said it would submit a report to the Centre on the problems faced by fishermen, including attacks allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy, to enable the External Affairs Ministry find a diplomatic solution to the vexed issue.

"The Committee visited Ramanathapuram and met affected fishermen. We will submit a report to the Centre on problems faced by the fishermen, including attacks by Sri Lankan Navy, to enable the External Affairs Ministry find a diplomatic solution to the problem," Committee Chairman Dr E M Sudarsana Nachiappan told reporters.

He said this after the committee visited the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre at Madras High Court campus and held discussions with officials on this issue, besides also on sending Sri Lankan refugees back to the island nation and also the functioning of legal services in the state.

Referring to the Tamil Nadu government's opposition to sending refugees back to Sri Lanka, Natchiappan noted that the Chief Minister has already written to the Centre, stating that it would not be done till they received a message that Sri Lankan Tamils are able to live peacefully there.

He said the committee had also received letters from various associations of Madras High Court Advocates on changing the name of Madras High Court to Tamil Nadu High Court and on making Tamil the court language.

The matter was pending in the Supreme Court collegium and the centre was awaiting instructions in this regard, he said.

The Committee directed the District Judge and Member Secretary Teekaraman, Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, to submit a detailed report on the number of convicted prisoners, undertrials and those granted bail but languishing in jails for want of furnishing surety and unable to furnish it due to their poor financial condition.

Natchiappan said the Legal Services Authority in Tamil Nadu stood first nationwide in disposing a record number of nearly 15 lakh disputes in Lok Adalats last year, something the union law minister had praised in Parliament.(PTI)