Harassment ‘faced by fishermen needs solution’

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy raised the issue of frequent harassment of Karaikal fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities with a top- ranking Indian Navy officer when he called on him at the Legislative Assembly on Saturday.

An official release said Mr. Rangasamy took up the issue of the Sri Lankan Navy’s arrest of Karaikal fishermen and seizure of their boats when Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer, Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, made a courtesy call on him.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister stressed the need to find a permanent solution to the issues faced by the fishermen at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Chief Minister requested the Vice-Admiral to create awareness among students about the functioning of the Indian Navy. The release said he also wanted the Navy Day to be held in Puducherry.