Political Parties in Tamilnadu Strongly Criticized SLN

by Special Correspondent

(January 28, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Opposition parties on Monday demanded the State Government of Tamilnadu to pressurise the Centre for taking over Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka and take steps to remove sea mines planted in the area by the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN).

On the issue of detained fishermen by Lanka Navy, Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said that steps were being taken for the early release of 12 fishermen from Rameswaram.

Speaking on a special call attention motion moved by AIADMK, Congress, CPI (M), CPI, VCK and MDMK in the Assembly, the Minister said higher State government officials were in contact with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai on the release of arrested fishermen who are languishing in prisons.

‘Even Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and I spoke to Union Minister of State External Affairs E Ahamed, who had promised to take up the issue with his Sri Lankan counterpart,’ he said.

Veerasamy said, ‘we have urged the Union Minister to take immediate steps for the release of fishermen as there are information that the Lankan government wanted the fishermen to be in the prison till 10 February when the case comes up for hearing in the local court.’

He said that the Centre should also look into the issue regarding violations of rights bestowed to Tamilnadu fishermen in the agreement signed between both the governments while handing over Katchatheevu to the neighbouring country.

State Electricity Minister also denied the charge levelled by AIADMK members D Jayakumar that the government was complacent on the issue of fishermen release.

After DMK came to power, he pointed out that five incidents of fishermen had happened in which 157 fishermen were arrested and 30 fishing boats were seized by the Lankan Navy.

‘The government took timely steps to ensure that safe return to the State, ‘ he said.

Earlier, AIADMK member Jayakumar said the fishermen in the Rameswaram region were protesting ever since the arrest of 12 fishermen who went to fishing on 21 January, 2008. The only solution to the problem is to take over Katchatheevu.

He warned that the sea mines laid in the Katchatheevu area would affect the Tamilnadu fishermen and the mines could wash ashore to the Tamilnadu coast due to underwater sea current.

C Gnanasekaran (Cong) G K Mani (PMK), C Govindasamy (CPI-M), Ramasamy (CPI), Cumbum Ramakrishnan (MDMK), D Selvam (VCK) also spoke on the issue.