Chennai: National Security Advisor
Shivshankar Menon plans to take up with the Sri Lankan
government the issue of release of five fishermen arrested by
the island nation's navy and lodged in a jail in Colombo,
Tamil Nadu Congress chief BS Gnanadesikan said on Wednesday.
The NSA would take up the issue with the Rajapakse
government again, he said in a statement, quoting Menon.
Gnanadesikan said representatives of the Tamil Nadu Sea
Coast Motor Boat Fishermen Welfare Association had recently
met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Menon in Chennai and
presented a petition on the hardships they face in mid-sea.
During the interaction, Menon dwelt on the efforts taken
by India, including appointment of an advocate for the
fishermen. He also accepted a proposal to appoint a one-member
committee to address issues faced by the fisher folk during
emergencies.
"An official will soon be appointed to exclusively
address issues faced by Indian fishermen, which will hopefully
put an end to all the difficulties faced by them,"
Gnanadesikan said.
The five were arrested by Sri Lankan naval personnel on
November 28, questioned for alleged possession of drugs and
later lodged in prison.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 29, 2011, 00:51