Saturday, 2 November 2013 00:00
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Chennai, Reuters: Considering the sentiments of Tamils demanding the PM not to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet, the Indian Government is mulling over the decision for its participation in the Convention.
India’s Junior Minister at the Prime Minister’s office (PMO), V. Narayansamy said this while interacting with mediapersons in Chennai, capital city of Tamil Nadu on Friday (1 November).
The government of the southern Tamil Nadu state moved a resolution in the Provincial Assembly on 24 October, demanding India to boycott the meet in Colombo as a mark of protest against the war crimes committed by Sri Lankan regime on Tamils.
Moving the resolution, Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha insisted the Federal Government seek the suspension of Sri Lanka from the CHOGM.
All major parties including Jayalalitha’s All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Congress in Tamil Nadu stood in favour of the resolution against the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the neighbouring country.
Narayanasamy assured that he conveyed the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu during his meeting with Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.
“Yesterday, Srivasan, the Union Minister also met Prime Minister and impressed upon him about the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu because the Tamil sentiments are very high. The people of Tamil Nadu feel that the Prime Minister should not go to the CHOGM conference. When I met the honourable Prime Minister, when I interacted with him, I also told the Prime Minister the feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu,” said Narayansamy.
Fishing row
Speaking on the row regarding Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka for trespassing in the waters of the island country, Narayanasamy said that he pressed upon the authorities for their release.
“More than 70 fishermen of the Tamil Nadu and Karaikal region of Puducherry are in jail. Now it is the Diwali season, we told them that they have to be released. Yesterday, I talked to our Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. I impressed upon him that they should release our fishermen and also release the boats, the process is going on,” said Narayanasamy.
Earlier in the month, India charged 33 men aboard an armed ship operated by a US maritime security firm for failing to produce papers authorising it to carry weapons in Indian waters, a move that could trigger diplomatic tensions.
The crew has been charged with illegal procurement of diesel and possession of arms and ammunitions without required documentation.
The southern tip of India is close to major trading routes from Asia to Europe. Many cargo ships now travel with armed guards to deter pirates. Sri Lanka, close to Tuticorin, is a popular boarding point for private armed guards.
A diplomatic row erupted last year when two Indian fishermen were allegedly shot dead by two Italian marines serving as security guards on an Italian-flagged oil tanker off the Kerala coast. The marines are currently being prosecuted in India.
