TN leaders raise alarm on Tamil fishermen deaths

The recent killings of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan naval forces has raised alarm in New Delhi.

Politicians from Tamil Nadu met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to brief him on the recent killings in Sri Lankan waters, and also gave him a memorandum on the issue.

The Sri Lankan navy has killed at least 50 fishermen in the last fortnight for crossing over into Sri Lankan waters, sources from the Tamil Nadu government said.

The Cabinet Committee on Security also met during the day to take stock of the situation.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader J Jayalalitha alleged that the Centre has taken the issue on a casual note and has not bothered to protect Tamil fishermen.

Members of Parliament from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Union ministers from Tamil Nadu are planning to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Dr Singh on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Member of Legislative Assembly Vijayakant will be going one a daylong fast in New Delhi on September 29, while Tamil Nadu politician V Gopalswamy (Vaiko) also plans to meet Union Defence Minister A K Antony and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the issue.