Pranab Mukherjee to take up issue of SL Navy ?killing? Indian fishermen

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said he will take up the matter of two Indian fishermen being allegedly killed by Sri Lankan Navy with the neighbouring nation through the appropriate channels.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi requested the Union minister to pursue the matter with the island nation after two fishermen from the state were allegedly killed by Sri Lankan Navy in ten days.

A fisherman, Jayakumar, from Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu) was allegedly killed by Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday night.

He had gone fishing with two other fishermen.

Earlier this month, another fisherman, Veerapandian from the same area, was allegedly shot dead by the naval force of the island nation.

The Sri Lankan Navy has denied its involvement.

Mukherjee said he will ask the ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the Sri Lankan authorities.

?If Indian fishermen have done something wrong there’s a due procedure of resolving… I will take it up with Lankan foreign ministry so this does not repeat,? Mukherjee, who is on a visit here, said.

Karunanidhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the family of Jayakumar.