Karunanidhi for joint patrolling
	CHENNAI:Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday said the State Government hoped that Indian fishermen's safety would be ensured if both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments came forward to conduct joint inspections along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Addressing presspersons after the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Ministers organised a demonstration to protest against the firing on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner here informed the Ministers, who submitted a memorandum to him, that the Prime Minister's Office had enquired with the Sri Lankan Government about the issue. The PMO had also said that the killings were "unacceptable." Sri Lanka agreeable The Deputy High Commissioner said that his country had agreed to conduct joint patrolling of the IMBL and wanted the Indian Government to take part in it. If this was done, the present problems could be avoided. When it was pointed out that the Sri Lankan Government had denied involvement in the latest killings, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the affected fishermen were not prepared to accept the explanation. Longstanding demand On the demand of Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss that the Kachatheevu island should be taken back from Sri Lanka, he said this was a longstanding demand. For long, there had been the allegation that Sri Lanka was indulging in acts such as firing only because Kachatheevu was given to that country. Replying to the PMK chief's charge that the DMK Government consulted with its allies on small issues and not on the major issues, he said the DMK consulted allies on the Cauvery water dispute issue after the tribunal spelt out the final award. The PMK was represented by its president G.K.Mani at that meeting. "Hence, I cannot accept your contention that Dr. Ramadoss considered Cauvery as a simple issue," he said.