DMK stages demonstration protesting killing of Tamil Nadu fisherman

Chennai (PTI): The DMK today staged a demonstration here to protest the recent killing of a Tamil Nadu fisherman allegedly by Sri Lankan navy off the Kodiakarai coast.

DMK’s fishermen wing, led by its state secretary Era Bernard, also submitted a memorandum to Sri Lankan deputy high commission condemning the recent incident.

On Wednesday, Chellappan was killed and three others injured when they were attacked allegedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel off Kodiakarai coast in Nagapattinam district.

The protesters raised slogans against the Sri Lankan navy for its “atrocities” against Tamil Nadu fishermen. They also asked the Centre to take steps to prevent such incidents in the near future.

“Contrary to the assurances given by Sri Lankan government to India, Tamil Nadu fishermen are being repeatedly attacked by Sri Lankan Navy. Sri Lanka should follow India in undertaking due legal procedure and later releasing fishermen straying into their waters,” the memorandum said.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had immediately taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

Chidambaram yesterday had assured Karunanidhi that the matter would be taken up with Sri Lankan government by the External Affairs Ministry.