Indian fishermen to seek asylum in SL

25 January 2011 05:18 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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About 500 fishermen from a village in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu India have planned to seek asylum with the Sri Lankan government for their safety.

M Kathirvel, president of the village panchayat, told Express: “Since the state and Central governments miserably failed to protect us while fishing despite having the world class Navy and Coast Guard, we have decided to seek asylum with the neighbouring nation to save our lives.”

According to Kathirvel, in a week’s time, all these fishermen in 100-odd fibre boats (belonging to the villagers) would reach the Lankan maritime boundary to seek asylum with them.

Though the ‘hard decision’ seems to be taken after the tragic death of local fisherman N Jayakumar at the hands of Lankan Navy, it was primarily meant to put more pressure on the State and Centre to understand the ground reality faced by fishermen in the region, Kathirvel said.

“Since we don’t want to lead a life under constant fear of being killed or brutally attacked by Lankan Navy anytime while fishing in mid-sea, seeking asylum and continuing the fishing activities from the Lankan shores would only assure our food and more importantly the lives,” he added.

Seeking asylum with the country which constantly attacks Indian fishermen could only be attributed to the utter failure of the home country to provide security to them in sea, said S A Mahesh, president of All Indian Traditional Fishermen Association.

Mahesh further said that the Indian Government should wake up from deep slumber and act decisively to end the Lankan Navy’s unwarranted attacks on unarmed and innocent Tamil fishermen.

Source: expressbuzz

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Comments - 19

spark Tuesday, 25 January 2011 07:45 AM

The Indian government has certainly failed in its responsibilities.

eddy Tuesday, 25 January 2011 01:35 PM

Any Police or coroners report. Some one should be held accountable

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 25 January 2011 01:31 PM

Your Name says you need it !

Rajitha Tuesday, 25 January 2011 01:23 PM

do you honestly think this is about some poor fishermen trying to find a decent life?

eddy Tuesday, 25 January 2011 01:22 PM

Any Police or coroners report. Some one should be held accountable. Or another load of garbage pl return to sender.

KHKaru Tuesday, 25 January 2011 10:38 AM

Something fishy going on in Tamilnadu ! SL Govt. must act swiftly and nip the problem in the bud. A stitch in time will save nine !

xlntgson Tuesday, 25 January 2011 09:41 AM

Bizarre!

nagu Tuesday, 25 January 2011 08:42 AM

They have already investigated....SL navy was no where near them.....

Lucky Tuesday, 25 January 2011 07:52 AM

The fishermen need our protection. Navy should be asked to assist them, if they cross into our territory. These are poor fishermen and they deserve our assistance to make a decent living.

N.B.M.Arachchi Tuesday, 25 January 2011 07:45 AM

This is what we called "real leaders and followers"...No bright talks againast anyone... Just imagine if Vimal W. were a leader of these fishermen...?

Leslie Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:37 AM

There is political under current in this move. If the Sri Lankan government does not move swiftly to defuse the situation they may have to pay a high price. Sometime back there was a suggestion that the Indian Fishermen should be armed/provided armed security. Act before it is too late.

King Nut Tuesday, 25 January 2011 07:44 AM

No More Indians here..

pissuhu***k Tuesday, 25 January 2011 06:12 AM

what are they smoking in south india? i want some!!!

citizen1 Tuesday, 25 January 2011 06:05 AM

Oh my Lord! Here they come!!!

manojh Tuesday, 25 January 2011 06:01 AM

We have a history 30 years of bad terrorism and this will only open the wounds again for a such cause.So be careful.

Lankandian Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:58 AM

Well...come one witness how peaceful we are!

Villager Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:56 AM

Absolutely. There must be investigation, not knee jerk reaction on our part. Crying "Diaspora" won't solve all our problems.

lankaputha Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:51 AM

Pls, give them a warm welcome. First provide them a Lemon-puff, and then some shelter. Ask them to bring all what they have. No one will come after that.

Ravana Tuesday, 25 January 2011 05:38 AM

Looks like the Diaspora is making one HUGE last effort ! If we can hold out and keep our cool ( as a nation) we may see it all fizzle out.

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Indian fishermen to seek asylum in SL

Comments - 19

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