Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy has written to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to take steps to ensure the release of all fishermen, including those from Karaikal, apprehended by the Sri Lankan forces.

This was revealed by the CM, when the representatives of Karaikal fishermen, led by National Fish Workers Forum general secretary M Ilango met him on Friday evening.

The representatives, led by National Fish Workers Forum leader Ilango, submitted a memorandum on Friday seeking his intervention in the issue.

Twenty-nine (29) fishermen from Karaikal, including four from Nagapattinam in four boats, were apprehended near Mullaitheevu on July 30. After the meeting, Ilango told reporters that  attack on Indian fishermen was continuing unabated and they find it increasingly difficult to go to sea for their livelihood. The National Fish Workers Forum general secretary said steps should be taken by India and Sri Lanka to hold a dialogue between the fishermen of both the countries.

Meanwhile, Veeradasan, a leader of the Karaikal fishermen association, alleged that the Indian Coast Guard personnel had attacked ten fishermen, who were fishing in fibre boats near the Karaikal coast.

However, sources from the Indian Coast Guard denied any incidents of attack on Karaikal fishermen. – Indian Express