Don't be mute spectator on Sri Lanka's plans on islet: Karunanidhi

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday said the Centre "cannot remain a mute spectator" about Sri Lanka's reported plans to build a military base in Katchatheevu, an islet ceded by India to the island nation.  Two days after writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calling for verifying reports about Sri Lanka's "unilateral action", Mr. Karunanidhi told the state Assembly that "If such reports are true, Centre cannot remain a mute spectator to such a development."  "Concerns of the members of the House indicate that it (the Centre) should not remain a silent spectator to such a situation," he said replying to an adjournment motion sought to be moved by opposition parties on reports about continued attacks on Indian fishermen near Katchatheevu allegedly by the Lankan navy.  Media reports about a light house like structure built by the Sri Lankan government in Katchatheevu island in the Palk Straits during the past few days has caused concern among the Indian maritime security agencies.  Citing the reports, Mr. Karunanidhi wrote to Singh on June 16 stating they should be verified by the Government of India with its agencies.  Members in the Assembly highlighted possible restrictions that could be placed against Tamil Nadu fishermen if an army base came up in Katchatheevu, ceded by India in 1974 under a bilateral agreement.