CHENNAI: DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Wednesday hailed the BJP government for its decision to reject the Meenakumari report that recommended allowing foreign companies in Indian waters and restricting Indian fishermen within 12 km from the coast.
Welcoming the “constructive decision” of the Centre, the DMK chief recalled he had already opposed the report and had appealed to the Centre to reject it. The recommendations had put a question mark on the livelihood of fishermen and they too were protesting against the report. The recommendations paved the way for the plunder of Indian sea resources by foreign fishing companies, he added.
Karunanidhi applauded the BJP government’s decision to refer the amended land acquisition Bill to a Joint Parliament Committee and welcomed the release of 37 Tamil Nadu fishermen from Sri Lanka’s custody.
Citing the speech of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena promising Tamil Nadu fishermen that plans would be worked out for their safe fishing after talks with Lankan fishermen, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrange talks between the fishermen of the two countries to bring about an amicable settlement to the long-standing problem.