It’s our duty to protect fishermen: Tamil Nadu CM writes in letter to Modi
In a strongly-worded letter, Palaniswami exhorts the Prime Minister to not ignore the barbaric act that nullified the diplomatic efforts made to end the fishing row
Published: 08th March 2017 04:58 AM | Last Updated: 08th March 2017 04:58 AM | A+A A-
CHENNAI: Reminding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that protecting the life and liberty of fishermen from Tamil Nadu is the duty of the governments they headed, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday said the present escalation in the Palk Strait, in which a fisherman from Ramanathapuram was shot dead allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy, should not be ignored or tolerated under any circumstance.
“Such inhuman and barbaric tactics by the Sri Lankan side completely nullifies the diplomatic efforts that have been undertaken, including the understanding reached in several meetings between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of India, including the recently-concluded Joint Working Group meeting at New Delhi and Ministerial Level Meeting at Colombo, in which it was clearly agreed not to use force against bona fide fishermen at sea,” Palaniswami said in a letter to Modi on Tuesday.
boat, which came under attack from the
Lankan navy in the wee hours of Tuesday;
and
protest at Thangachimadam | Express
According to information reaching here, five fishermen who set off from Rameswaram fishing base in Ramanathapuram district were fishing within their traditional waters when they were surrounded by four Lankan Navy vessels around 9.30 pm on Monday.
The personnel on the boats opened fire on the unarmed fishermen, indiscriminately and without any provocation, he said.
In the attack, Britjo Hemeles (21) sustained fatal injuries to his neck and died before he could be brought to the shore. Another fisherman, Jeron Dhasan (31) had his arm injured, and is undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital, Ramanathapuram.
“The Sri Lankan Navy is resorting to tactics involving greater cruelty and unnecessary use of force in an attempt to scare away our fishermen from exercising their traditional rights. In no circumstances can such unprovoked violence from the Sri Lankan side be tolerated.
It is the duty of the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu to protect the interests, and above all the life and liberty of our citizens,” said the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, the Coastal Security Group registered an FIR against the Lankan navy for killing K Britjo and injuring Jeron. The case was registered under various sections, including 302 and 307 of the IPC and the Arms act.
The fishermen have decided to boycott the annual festival at St Anthony’s Church on Katchatheevu. The festival was scheduled for March 11 and 12.
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