A bridge to Lanka may invite Tigers: warns Jaya

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today urged Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee to drop the proposal to study the feasibility of building...

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today urged Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee to drop the proposal to study the feasibility of building a bridge between India and Sri Lanka as it would ‘‘jeopardise national security’’.

She also wanted him to defer proposed ferry services between Thoothukudi and Sri Lanka as ‘‘this is not an opportune time’’.

On the plight of Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu who were being attacked on international waters by Lankan Navy near Katchatheevu Island, she suggested a two pronged strategy — to get the Katchatheevu and adjacent seas on lease in perpetuity, and persuade Lanka to permit licensed Indian fishermen to fish in Lankan waters up to five nautical miles.

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An official release said Jayalalithaa sent two letters to the PM yesterday, one dealing with the bridge and the other on Katchatheevu.

She explained her opposition to the bridge by citing problems created by LTTE, which brought the horror of suicide bombing to the State. ‘‘Tamil Nadu was always known to be a peaceful State, but the LTTE, with frequent contacts across the Palk Bay, as also along the entire TN coastline, has been responsible for bringing this horrendous culture into Tamil Nadu.’’

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