Vaiko writes to PM on fishermen

(June 09, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) MDMK leader Vaiko has brought to the attention of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh once again the ‘unabated atrocities of the Sri Lankan Navy on Tamil fishermen’.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was released to the press Monday, Vaiko said that various associations of country boat fishermen and their families narrated the harsh treatment meted out to them by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in Indian territorial waters.

Vaiko further alleged that 19 fishermen, who were taken by the Sri Lankan Navy last month, were blind-folded and tortured. They were not provided food, nor were they given clothes to cover their body.

Vaiko also enclosed the details of the fishing boats and fishermen now under the custody of Sri Lankan Navy.

The MDMK leader said the entire fishing community in the area are in the throes of anxiety about the welfare and well-being of the fishermen under the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy.

He appealed to the government of India to act on this burning issue and take action urgently, to instil confidence among the fishing community to pursue their fishing activities peacefully.
- Sri Lanka Guardian