Tamil Nadu   

Kachatheevu: High Court moved for enforcement of 1974 pact

CHENNAI: A resident of Valasaravakkam here has moved the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the government to enforce the 1974 agreement on Kachatheevu for preserving the traditional rights of Indian fishermen to carry on fishing in the Kachatheevu waters, dry their nets and visit the church on the island during festival season.

In her public interest litigation, Pandilakshmi submitted that the agreement in June 1974 in no uncertain terms recognised the right of the Indian fishermen to carry on fishing operations, dry their fishing nets and go on pilgrimage to a church on the island. This clause was made only to preserve the traditional rights of Indian fishermen to carry fishing operation in and around the high seas of the island which they enjoyed for centuries and which remained undisputed by the island government. Even in the supplementary agreement in 1976, the right of Indian fishermen was not disputed.

After the ethnic conflict broke out on the island, the Sri Lankan government started preventing Indian fishermen from fishing near Kachatheevu and landing there for drying their nets, citing security reasons. This was never objected to by the Union Government which prejudiced the livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

The issue gained significance after the island government resorted to unprovoked firing in the high seas of Kachatheevu in violation of the rights of Indian fishermen. Several Indian fishermen had been killed by the island navy for merely exercising their traditional right.

The Government of India was duty bound to enforce the fishing rights of Indian fishermen. But it was not taking any action.

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