CHENNAI: Taking strong exception to the recent arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today requested the Centre to send out an “unequivocal” and “unambiguous” message to ensure that such acts cease hereafter.
“After a brief lull, Sri Lanka has again resorted to intensive aggressive action against Tamil Nadu fishermen and three further incidents of a large number of fishermen being apprehended have occurred, since I last wrote to you”, she said in her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Over the past two days, 57 fishermen and their eight boats have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy, she said.
Noting that the Union Government has “acted promptly” in securing the detained fishermen on several occasions, she said “Sri Lankan side’s attitude has hardened and they are adopting harsher and more devious tactics to cause permanent and long-standing economic damage to poor and innocent fishermen”.
The Lankan Navy had also started detaining fishermen and their boats in distress or those engaged in the rescue of distressed boats, she said, adding these trends have to be reversed to protect the livelihood of the fishermen.
“This is possible only if a firm, clear, unequivocal and unambiguous message is sent out by the Government of India to the SRO Lankan side that these hostile acts against Indian fishermen would not be tolerated and should cease forthwith.”
“Such a message should be delivered to those at the highest level on the Sri Lankan side as impulse for such a cruel and ruthless strategy against Tamil Nadu fishermen appears to flow from the very top”, she said. Recalling the memorandum she had presented to Modi in June 2014, Jayalalithaa said, “the first and foremost is addressing the issue of the status of Katchatheevu. This is clearly central to the problem as the most recent incident has also occurred close to this islet”.
“I have already indicated to you that Katchatheevu was always a part of Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu Indian fishermen have enjoyed traditional fishing rights in and around the islet”, she said.
She said the agreements entered into in 1974 and 1976, in which Katchatheevu was “unconstitutionally” and “wrongfully” ceded to Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu fishermen were “obstructed” from exercising their fishing rights in their traditional fishing areas ever since then.
“I strongly urge you to take active steps to abrogate the 1974 and 1976 agreements and retrieve Katchatheevu and restore the traditional fishing rights of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu”, she said.
The Indo-Sri Lankan Joint Working Groups need to be made a useful mechanism to address such issues, she said.
“I am sure that, given the emphasis you are placing on resolving issues, the plight of Tamil Nadu fishermen will receive the much needed priority attention that it deserves and the Government of India will take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our fishermen and secure the immediate release of detained fishermen and boats”, she said.
“The permanent and long-term measures cannot be placed on the back-burner any longer and must also be actively pursued”, she added.–PTI
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
