TNN | Sep 7, 2012, 04.23AM IST
New
Delhi: External affairs minister S M Krishna apologized in Rajya Sabha on
Thursday for being absent from the House when a 'calling attention motion' on
the "situation arising out of repeated attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka navy" came up at noon.
The minister was held up in a meeting with the Fijian prime minister and according to sources, reached the House when protests over Coalgate resulted in an adjournment. He soon after spoke to AIADMK MP V Maitreyan who had protested the minister's absence and said he was keen to make a statement on the matter.
Maitreyan, in the meanwhile, submitted a breach of privilege notice that he decided not to pursue once Krishna apologized for not being in the House due to an official engagement. At noon, Maitreyan forcefully raised Krishna's absence, expressing his displeasure to the minister not being present.
His objection, however, could not be heard in the din as members from Samajwadi Party and BJP continued with their protests over reservation in promotion for SCs/STs and coal block allocations respectively. Later, deputy chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House till 2 pm.
Krishna turned up when the House resumed at 2 pm and apologized for his absence and this was stated by the chair.
Sources close to the external affairs minister, however, said Krishna had informed the chair in advance about his absence and also about his intention to reply to the calling attention motion only at 2 pm.
Replying to the motion on alleged attacks against Indian fishermen by Lankan navy, Krishna said there were no Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody on fishing-related charges. However, he added that some Indian nationals were arrested in Sri Lankan waters on charges of smuggling narcotics and contraband.
"As soon as reports of apprehension of Indian fishermen are received, the government through diplomatic channels takes up the matter of their expeditious release and repatriation with Sri Lankan authorities," he said.
"As a result, fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy have been released and repatriated expeditiously," he added.
He said officials from the Indian high commission in Colombo and consulate in Jaffna were in regular touch with detained Indian nationals and were extending all possible consular and legal assistance to them.
The minister was held up in a meeting with the Fijian prime minister and according to sources, reached the House when protests over Coalgate resulted in an adjournment. He soon after spoke to AIADMK MP V Maitreyan who had protested the minister's absence and said he was keen to make a statement on the matter.
Maitreyan, in the meanwhile, submitted a breach of privilege notice that he decided not to pursue once Krishna apologized for not being in the House due to an official engagement. At noon, Maitreyan forcefully raised Krishna's absence, expressing his displeasure to the minister not being present.
His objection, however, could not be heard in the din as members from Samajwadi Party and BJP continued with their protests over reservation in promotion for SCs/STs and coal block allocations respectively. Later, deputy chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House till 2 pm.
Krishna turned up when the House resumed at 2 pm and apologized for his absence and this was stated by the chair.
Sources close to the external affairs minister, however, said Krishna had informed the chair in advance about his absence and also about his intention to reply to the calling attention motion only at 2 pm.
Replying to the motion on alleged attacks against Indian fishermen by Lankan navy, Krishna said there were no Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody on fishing-related charges. However, he added that some Indian nationals were arrested in Sri Lankan waters on charges of smuggling narcotics and contraband.
"As soon as reports of apprehension of Indian fishermen are received, the government through diplomatic channels takes up the matter of their expeditious release and repatriation with Sri Lankan authorities," he said.
"As a result, fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy have been released and repatriated expeditiously," he added.
He said officials from the Indian high commission in Colombo and consulate in Jaffna were in regular touch with detained Indian nationals and were extending all possible consular and legal assistance to them.
