'Issue of attacks on TN fishermen to be taken up with MEA'

NAGAPATTINAM: The issue of attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel would be taken up with the External Affairs Minister, Union Minister Oscar Fernandes has said.

"I will take up with the External Affairs minister the issue of attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen," the Minister for road transport and highways said after visiting the famous Shrine Baslica in Vailankanni last night.

He was responding to a question on the attack on 30 fishermen by Lankan naval personnel.

About 30 fishermen of this district had lodged a complaint with fisheries department officials yesterday, stating that they had been attacked by Lankan naval personnel while fishing off this coastal town on Friday and that they had taken away fishing nets worth Rs 40 lakh.

Following the incident, fishermen of over 10 hamlets in the district launched an indefinite fast yesterday, demanding concrete action from both central and state governments to put a stop to such incidents.