Lanka's UWDS a 'naked agression' into India's sovereignty

Chennai, Jan. 25 Describing the Sri Lankan Government's decision to install an Under Water Defence System (UWDS) between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu on the high seas as ''naked agression'' into the domain of India's sovereign rights in the international waters, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko today urged India to take up with its Sri Lankan counterpart for removing the UWDS.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, copy of which was released to the press here, he expressed shock and concern over that Government's decision to set up UWDS, in which mines were placed to destroy the fishing boats of Indian fishermen.

''This highhanded action of the Lankan Government is a naked aggression into the domain of our sovereign rights in the international waters'', he said and claimed a sinister design behind the move to threaten and prevent the suffering Tamils of Sri Lanka to reach Tamil Nadu as refugees.

''It is a most inhuman and barbarous attitude. The UWDS was set up with the malicious aim of curtailing the rights of Indian fishermen,'' he added.

Observing that Indian fishermen have the rights for fishing near Katchatheevu as per an agreement with Sri Lanka, Mr Vaiko said if the island government refused to remove the UWDS, India should take steps to nullify the Katchatheevu Agreement.

Source: chennaionline.com