200 CPI (M) cadres led by the secretary of its State unit G. Ramakrishnan were arrested when they tried to gherao the Sri Lankan Deputy Commissioner office to protest the killing of Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy. They were released in the evening. Addressing the protesters, Mr. Ramakrishnan said the attacks had become a continuing affair. So far 400 persons had been killed.
He said there was no let up in the attacks even though the people of the State had raised their voice in unison demanding action from the Centre and the State.
“Joint patrolling by the navies of India and Sri Lanka alone can put an end to the atrocities by the Sri Lankan Navy,” Mr. Ramakrishnan said. The arrested included CPI (M) North Chennai secretary T.K. Shanmugam, party MLA S.K. Mahendran and Fishermen Association Federation general secretary P. Karunanidhi.
