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Tamil Nadu
RAMESWARAM: Taking back Katchatheevu, an island in Palk Strait, from Sri Lanka alone will put an end to the continuous victimisation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy, Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration M.K. Stalin said here on Saturday. “Kachatheevu was handed over to Sri Lanka in 1974. A pact reached at that time held that our fishermen would enjoy all traditional rights. But, in 1976, the Central Government, through its administrative orders, restricted fishing within certain boundary lines, which is the genesis of the problems faced by the fishermen till date,” he said. Mr. Stalin was addressing a gathering at the end of a day-long fast organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to condemn the frequent attacks on fishermen. “I was eager to participate in this fast along with you, but my health condition and doctors’ advice does not permit me to do so,” he said. The Minister recalled that a team led by DMK treasurer Arcot N. Veeraswami and himself staged a demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai. “We also presented a memorandum to Sri Lankan officials, who assured to take necessary action. Still, our fishermen are being shot dead, arrested and harassed by destroying their fishing nets on sea.” In Ramanathapuram district alone, nearly 30 fishermen had fallen prey to Sri Lankan bullets and more than hundred seriously injured. Three hundred boats had been damaged. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had prevailed upon the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convey the State’s sentiments to the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during the SAARC meet scheduled at Colombo in August, he said. “A delegation of DMK MPs led by T.R. Baalu met the Foreign Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday. They will meet the Prime Minister tomorrow evening and insist on India expressing its strong condemnation to the frequent killing of our fishermen. We are making all out efforts to create a conducive atmosphere,” he said. Earlier, Mr. Stalin handed over cheques totalling Rs.2.70 lakh to the family of a fisherman from Thangachimadam who was shot dead on June 2 and to two others injured in the attack on June 21. The monetary assistance was distributed at the government guest house in Ramanathapuram.
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