The Hindu : National : Take back Kachatheevu: Elders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Take back Kachatheevu: Elders

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: Expressing serious concern over the killing of a fisherman and arrests of a few others by the Sri Lankan Navy, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday urged the Centre to take back the Kachatheevu island from Sri Lanka so that fishing could be made safer and easier for Indian fishermen.

Raising the issue at zero hour, V. Narayanasamy (Congress) said, on March 5 one fisherman was killed and some others were injured when the Sri Lankan Navy personnel opened fire at them, while at least 50 fishermen were taken into custody and beaten up.

‘Serious issue’

“This is a serious issue and the Centre must register a strong protest with the Sri Lankan government,” he added. Stating that Kachatheevu was given to Sri Lanka under an international agreement, Mr. Narayanasamy said the time had come for it to be taken back to help Indian fishermen.

Besides stationing the Coast Guard at Rameswaram and Tuticorin to effectively patrol maritime borders, he demanded that the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen to Kachatheevu be immediately restored.

Demanding that the Coast Guard should ensure the fishermen’s safety and prevent them from straying into international waters, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said: “They have the right to dry their nets on the island and visit the church there, and if the Sri Lankan government does not allow this, India should take back the island.”

The demands were supported by all the MPs, including the AIADMK and DMK members.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National