No amicable solution so far to attacks on Indian fishermen: GK Vasan

CHENNAI: Union Shipping Minister GK Vasan today regretted no amicable solution has so far been found to the issue of frequent attacks on Indian fishermen, allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy, despite several steps taken by the Centre.

"The Union Government has been taking several steps on the issue of Indian fishermen who were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan Navy.Despite that so far there has been no amicable solution to solve the issue", he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting here.

Vasan said a meeting would be held in Delhi later this month between the External Affairs Ministry, state (Tamil Nadu) government and representatives of fishermen to arrive at an amicable solution to the issue.

"I hope a suitable decision will be taken in the coming days after the meeting on the alleged attacks on Indian fishermen. I appeal to the State Government and the fishermen community to cooperate for the meeting", he said.

On the Gail pipeline issue, Vasan opined that the project should be taken up after clearing farmers' fears over their agricultural land getting affected by it.

"We are with the farmers. Farmers fear their land will get affected due to this (Gail pipeline) project. For that we have to sit with them and explain to them. The project should be taken up after allaying their fears,", he said.

The Madras High Court has recently set aside a Tamil Nadu Government order against laying of pipelines through farm lands, thus clearing work of GAIL pipeline network.

The pipeline network covers 505 km in Kerala, 310 km in Tamil Nadu and 70 km in Karnataka.