India non-serious over Sri Lankan attacks on its fishermen, alleges Karunanidhi

Chennai, Aug 20 (ANI): Indian government had not taken seriously attacks on its fishermen by the Sri Lanka navy, alleged Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi, here on Monday.

According to Tamil Nadu government, the Sri Lankan armed forces attacked 18 Indian fishermen at mid-sea, damaging their nets, iceboxes, food and other fishing implements, on August 17 and 18, and dumped fishermen in the sea.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Karunanidhi said, "My charge is that both the state and the central government have not taken the issue seriously."

A DMK lawmaker and daughter of Karunanidhi, Kanimozhi, urged the Centre to take up the issue with the Sri Lankan government to find a permanent solution to the problem.

"The attacks did come down few years ago but again it seems to have started. So we have to look at permanent solution. The central government has to negotiate and talk to the Sri Lankan government and make sure that this stops," said Kanimozhi.

Similar incidents were reported in the past when fishermen accidentally sailed into their Sri Lankan water territory. (ANI)