Narendra Modi slams centre for having no interest in fishermen's safety

GIR SOMNATH (GUJ): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Centre today, accusing it of having no concern for the safety of the Indian fishermen, who have been arrested and are languishing in Pakistani jails.

"Because of the Centre's lethargic policy, Gujarat's fishermen have been arrested and subjected to inhuman behaviour," Modi said, at a function organised to felicitate him for the formation of the new district Gir Somnath, which wes recently carved out from Junagadh.

He said Gujarat had initiated steps for the safety of Gujarat's fishermen and to protect the state's 1600 km long coastal route.

Modi urged the Centre to appeal to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen and get back their mechanised boats, which are in Pakistan's custody.

Attacking Prime minister Manmohan Singh, who recently admitted in the Rajya Sabha that India faced an economic crisis, he said, "When the Centre showed its inability to bring India out of the economic crisis, our fishermen in Gujarat can do so by exporting fish and bringing foreign currency, if they are encouraged and given safety".

Justifying the state government's decision in forming a separate district called Gir Somnath, Modi said, "The lion population is increasing in Gir and its surrounding areas. Therefore, a separate district is necessary".

He indicated that out of the new recruitments would take place in the police department due to the formation of seven new districts, 30 per cent of the posts would be for women, who would be recruited in a transparent manner.