Tamil Nadu fishermen safe after LTTE's defeat

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Tamil Nadu fishermen safe after LTTE's defeat

The killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen has stopped in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka after the LTTE's defeat, Tamil Nadu Fishermens' Federation (TFF) President R. Anbazhagan said.
Over 450 Tamil Nadu fishermen engaged in fishing near the Sri Lanka's Maritime Boundaries, had died due to LTTE attacks, he said.
"But we do not have that problem anymore since peace has been established in Sri Lanka by the President of Sri Lanka," he added.
Anbazhagan made this observation when he called on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratna on Friday with 15 representatives from the Tamil Nadu Federation of Fishing Societies, to discuss problems faced by Tamil Nadu deep sea fishermen in Sri Lankan seas.
TFF General Secretary S. Govindarajul said, although there is no danger posed against Tamil Nadu fishermen after LTTE' s defeat, the fishermen of Tamil Nadu have become upset in the wake of four deaths of Tamil Nadu fishermen while they were fishing in the Sri Lankan sea.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Government has released all Sri Lankan fishermen held in their custody for trespassing in Indian territorial waters following talks with Minister Senaratna last month.
The Joint Intelligence Committee(JIC) of the Indian Government has released 57 Sri Lankan fishermen and 11 fishing boats belonging in Indian custody. Of them 21 fishermen and four fishing vessels are due to arrive in Sri Lanka this week, said Fisheries Ministry sources. Fisheries Minister Dr. Senaratna addressing the Tamil Nadu delegation said , he accepts that the fishermen of Tamil Nadu were klilled at sea by LTTE terrorist attacks prior to their the (LTTE) being subdued by the Government.
"But I cannot accept that four fishermen had died during past few months," he said.
"We have received reports of attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen during the time of the LTTE, but not after that," he pointed out.
There is reportedly one death of a fisherman after the LTTE's defeat, the Minister said.
The Minister told Tamil Nadu Fisheries representatives that the ministry will send a team from Sri Lanka to Tamil Nadu to discuss problems affecting Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan fishermen and added that it is essential to maintain friendly-ties between India and Sri Lanka at all times.
Courtesy: Daily News