Tamil Nadu - Ramanathapuram   

“Raise fishermen issue in SAARC meet”

RAMANATHAPURAM: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise the issue of killing of innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen in the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Sri Lanka. “It is a fittest case to raise the issue in the forum, as more than 400 fishermen of Tamil Nadu were killed by Sri Lankan Navy since 1983. No other country in the world is killing the fishermen of other countries whatever may be the reasons except Sri Lanka,” said D. Pandian, State secretary, CPI.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday on the sidelines of CPI’s fishermen livelihood rights journey, he questioned how long the State and Central governments could be mute spectators to the killing of fishermen?

“The CPI feels that it is a challenge to the country’s sovereignty. We have already paid a heavy price. The Centre should lodge an official protest with the Sri Lankan Government and it should “warn” against the inhuman practice,” he said.

While stressing the need for retrieving Kachchatheevu, ceded to Sri Lanka, Mr. Pandian said at least the Government should “reassert” the rights of our fishermen in the island. The 1974 and 1976 agreements had clearly stated the rights of fishermen. But, they were not only denied their rights but also being subjected to humiliation and harassment.

The Prime Minister should hold separate talks with the Sri Lankan counterpart to end the killing of fishermen. Based on it, a special high level panel consisting leaders who knew the problem well should be send to Sri Lanka. “Our aim is to safeguard the fishermen. A permanent solution has to be found to put an end to the long pending burning issue.”.

Mr. Pandian said the CPI leaders would soon meet the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and others to impress upon the need to find a solution. C. Mahendran, State deputy secretary, said fishermen should be given 100 liters of subsidised diesel per day to a boat. No tax should be levied on diesel given to fishermen.

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