CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in her meeting with Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai brought up the issue of attacks on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and urged Mathai to bring this up in his talks with the Lankan government. Detailing several instances of harassment faced by Tamil fishermen from miscreants, the CM said that as the boats sailing out of Sri Lanka were under close surveillance by the Lankan Navy, in all probability, these incidents took place with their knowledge. The CM also told the Foreign Secretary about the apprehensions of Indian fishermen that the miscreants who threatened them might actually be personnel of the Sri Lankan Navy in the guise of fishermen because they came in small boats which were incapable of carrying enough diesel to take them long distances. Resumption of the traditional rights of fishing around Katchatheevu for Tamil fishermen and the resettlement of Tamil fishermen in their native places should also be taken up with Sri Lanka, the CM said.HV Shringla, Joint Secretary (BSM), Ministry of External Affairs and Sanjeev Singla, Director, FSO, Ministry of External Affairs were also present during the meeting.
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