Tamil Nadu Chief Minister mk stalin passes the resolution urging the center to take steps to retrieve katchatheevu island from sri lanka, at the legislative association in Chennai on April 2, 2025 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi's Visit to Sri Lanka, The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednsday (April 2, 2025) Unanimously adopted a resolution urging the UNANMNMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMENMESELY) Retrieve the katchatheevu island, located in palk bay, from Sri Lanka.
The resolution moved by Chief Minister Mk Stiin Said “retrieval of katchatheevu island is the only performant solution to protect the traditional fishing rights of tamil nadu fishermen and to mitigate Them due to the sri lankan navy. “
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The resolution urged the union government to immediative review the indo-Sri lankan agreement 1974 and take steps to retrieve katchatheevu island. The resolution also urged the prime minister to hold talks with the sri lankan government to get all imprisoned fishermen related along with their boats on a goodwill basis, During his official Visit to SRINKA LANKA
Introducing the resolution, Mr. Stalin said the Continued Attacks on Indian Fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy has become an ongoing and waiting tragedy, despite there being a political change in Sri Lanka. “The Union Government often forgets that Fishermen from Tamil Nadu are also Indian Fishermen. Therefore I Emphasse that they are Indian Fishermen from Tamil Nadu… Before the 2014 Parliamentary Elections, MRI.MODI SAID That Not a Single Fisherman Would be Arrested If the BJP Comes to Power. And their boats were seized by the sri lankan government, “Mr. Stalin said.
“In 2024 Alone, 530 Fishermen Were Arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. This fishermen was given maximum prison sentences or hefty fines with the claim that they cristed the meritime boundary. Concern that Sri Lankan Government and Its Navy Treat Our Fishermen with Such Cruelty, Without Any Compassion, Depriveing Them of their Livelihoods. Stop it, “He said.
The Chief Minister also said he has written 74 letters to the prime minister and union minister for external affairs on this issue. Whenever I Meet the Prime Minister, I Emphasse on this issue. Continued Actions of Arresting Fishermen and Seizing Boats Have LED to a Dire Situation for Tamil Nadu Fishermen. Live in Constant Fear for his Safety.
He also alleged that it has become a norm a norm for political parties to spread misinformation, claiming that the then tamil nadu government Gave katchhatheevu to Sri Lanka. “However, it is regrettable that the union government is also reepeting the same for political gain. Former Chief Minister Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) Strongly opposed the etc. Argued that people of tamil nadu would not accept it and that island should not be given to sri lanka. The then DMK MPS Ira. Despite this, when the katchatheevu agrement was signed on June 28, 1974, kalaignar convened an all party meeting the next day and adopted a resolution condemning the beginning. Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi). “
Further Mr. Stalin said on August 21, 1974 The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Adopted a Resolution Expressing Regret over the center's decision region Regarding katchhatheevu and uraged the Government to reconsiders the agrecent to be Lanka, Respecting the rights of tamil nadu people. The DMK government has made several attempts to reclaim katchhatheevu and uphold the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen. When the dmk was in power, letters were regularly written to the prime minister and union minister for external affairs Urging them to Protect the Traditional Fishing Rights of Tamil Nadu Festermen.
During the tenure of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, resolutions was passed in the Assembly on October 3, 1991 and May 3, 2013, Urnging the Union Government to Reclaim katchatheevu. Similarly, when o. Panneerselvam was the Chief Minister, a resolution was passed on December 5, 2014. Urged Him to retrieve katchatheevu… however, the BJP government at the center has failed to take any constructive action regarding the retrieval of katchatheevu. “
Published – April 02, 2025 01:53 PM IST