Jayalalitha writes to PM

28 June 2012 06:08 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Observing that Indian fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu have been ‘traditionally fishing’ in contentious Katchatheevu, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ask Colombo to stop its navy from harassing them.

Referring to the latest incident, she said fishermen in 45 boats fishing near Katchatheevu on June 26 were allegedly harassed by Sri Lankan Navy personnel.

They reportedly chased the fishermen away after cutting the ropes and damaging nets of 10 boats, resulting in a huge loss to the fishermen, she said in a letter to Singh.

"You are aware that I have brought to your kind attention the various incidents of attack on Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy/miscreants within the past 12 months and sought your intervention," she said.

This latest incident of harassment has shocked the state of Tamil Nadu and created a "psychological fear" in the minds of the fishermen, she said.
"I wish to reiterate that from time immemorial fishermen of Tamil Nadu have been traditionally fishing in the waters near Katchatheevu, notwithstanding any geographical or political boundaries," she said.

The Chief Minister requested Singh to take up the issue with Sri Lanka and impress upon them the need to instruct their Navy to exercise restraint and refrain from harassing "innocent" Indian fishermen pursuing their livelihood in their traditional waters, she said.

Katchatheevu, an islet on the Palk Straits, was ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974. Sri Lanka has been objecting to Tamil Nadu fishermen fishing in that area. (IANS)

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Comments - 6

Al Rasa Thursday, 28 June 2012 06:38 AM

Singh will definitely comply with that in fear of support from Thamilnadu because Indian Congress is fast loosing the
popularity.

Hettiarachchi Thursday, 28 June 2012 08:12 AM

The statement that Kachchative was ceded to Sri Lanka by India is not correct. When the maritime boundary in historic waters between Sri Lanka and India was being settled, both countries claimed the ownweship of Kachchativu and sumbitted evidence in proof of the respceive claims. However, uloitimately India agreed that Kachchativu is a part of Sri Lanka, and the boundary was demarcated accordingly and the 1974 Maritime Boundary Agreement was signed.

Amila G Thursday, 28 June 2012 12:27 PM

Stop harassing in whose waters. Sri Lanka navy is in Sri Lanka`s Territorial waters , what are the Indian fisherman doing in our territory.

pee da mossa Thursday, 28 June 2012 03:10 PM

Jaya, how about asking Manmohan not to harass Sri Lankan government, for a change.

haran Thursday, 28 June 2012 09:04 PM

you have no territory as you were controlled by china and india for everything

warren Monday, 02 July 2012 05:32 AM

haran.. you might be right when it comes to the government.. but when it comes to the people I can hardly say the same.. So don't push your luck..

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Jayalalitha writes to PM

Comments - 6

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