Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) has sought the Central and State (Tamil Nadu) governments to hoist the national flag on August 15 at Katchatheevu, which was ceded to Sri Lanka following an agreement.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, HMK president, Arjun Sampath, said even after the agreement the Indian fishermen still enjoy the right to catch fish and dry their nets on Katchatheevu Island.
He said the Indian fishermen are reluctant to enter the island fearing attack by the Sri Lankan navy. Sampath said in order to assert the Indian fishermens’ rights on the island, either Ramanathapuram collector or a top official of the Indian government should hoist the national flag in Katchatheevu on August 15. He further declared that if the government failed to hoist the flag, HMK acitivists would themselves volunteer to hoist the flag on the island.
Further, Sampath demanded that Vinayaga Chathurthi festival celebrations be permitted in Katchatheevu akin to the Anthoniyar festival, which is organsied there every year.
They urged Tamil Nadu government to take steps to bring to book the culprits involved in the murder of Hindu leaders. Charging that the police is trying to divert attention by saying that the murders were due to personal enmities, he alleged that religious fundamentalists were behind the murders of the Hindu leaders .
Samapth urged Rangasamy to provide enhanced old age and widow pension in the Union Territory as promised in his party’s election manifesto.