DMK MPs on Thursday demanded a joint investigation by India and UAE into the firing on fishermen by a US Navy ship that resulted in the death of one of them besides providing interim compensation to the injured.
In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, DMK MPs asked the government to ensure that full compensation was paid the deceased and three injured fishermen by the US, UAE and the Dubai-based companies which employed them.
A fisherman was killed and three others, all hailing from Tamil Nadu, were wounded when a security team onboard a US Navy ship fired at their small boat off the Dubai coast early this week.
“The government must impress upon them (the US) for a full investigation in the case so that it would help to avoid tragic incidents of this kind in future elsewhere in the world,” the memorandum said.
In this context, the DMK reminded the Prime Minister “that fishermen of Tamil Nadu, particularly those belonging to Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram, are not sure of safety to life when they go for fishing because of never-ending attacks by Sri Lankan navy.”
The MPs said there is “restlessness and a sense of desolation among the thousands of fishermen communities that live all along the 1,100 km-long coast line of Tamil Nadu. They look forward to an effective and lasting answer to their misery.”
DMK MPs demanded that government ensures that the body of Sekar, who died in the firing, be brought back to India immediately and proper treatment be given to the three injured. Pending payment from the US, UAE administration, Dubai companies, an interim payment and provision for employment to the kin of deceased and injured fishermen be provided by the government of India, they said.
The government should also press for a join investigation by UAE and Indian authorities into the incident, they added.