Chennai: "Inadequate response of the Union Government on incidents of apprehension and detention of our fishermen has emboldened Sri Lankan Navy to harass Tamil Nadu fishermen while exercising their livelihood rights to fish in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay", Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said on Monday.
In a letter to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, she said "In the early hours of March 13, 2016, five fishermen, who ventured into the sea for fishing from Rameswaram fishing base of Ramanathapuram district on a mechanised boat were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, and taken to Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka. In another incident, 23 fishermen, who went for fishing from Pamban fishing base of Ramanathapuram district have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy in the late hours of March 12, 2016, and taken to Thalaimannar, Sri Lanka.
"I have been writing repeatedly seeking strong diplomatic action to ensure that such incidents do not occur and to secure the immediate release of our fishermen and their boats in Sri Lankan custody", she pointed out. Stating that a total of 82 fishing boats remained in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities suffering neglect and damage, she reiterated that "the fishing boats and gear should be restored in a refurbished condition to the fishermen at the earliest".
Fishermen's right to livelihood of fishing in their traditional waters in Palk Bay, which they have enjoyed from time immemorial, has been infringed upon repeatedly by Sri Lanka. A permanent solution to this problem would be only by restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu thereby securing the rights to fish in their traditional waters.
The position of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) has been a matter of sub judice as the constitutional validity of Indo-Sri Lankan agreements of 1974 and 1976 has been challenged in Supreme Court. Hoping that the Centre would make a decisive shift in its stance towards handling the issue under the leadership of Modi, she said the Union Government should now find a lasting and permanent solution, which also carries grave security implications for our state. She asked Modi to direct the officials concerned in the External Affairs ministry to take concrete action through diplomatic channels to secure the release of 96 fishermen and 82 fishing boats immediately.
