Fishermen brutally attacked by Lankan Navy

Around six fishermen who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy have alleged that they were brutally attacked on Wednesday. According to reports, 13 fishermen were also detained for intruding into the Lankan waters. Both Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi have condemned the incidents and blamed the centre for not doing anything to prevent the attacks. "This government has let down us. Look at the behavior of  the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.  When Sikhs were killed in a shootout in the US he immediately took action.  But here even after the repeated atrocities nothing had been done.  He is a PM for all of us, then why he behaves like that?" K.Bharathi, President, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association told India Today.  The previous incidents also reveal how the fishermen of Tamil Nadu have been subjected to physical assaults. The troubled area is near Kachatheevu near Rameswaram which is over 650 kms from the capital Chennai.  It is a sad fact that over 500 fishermen were killed by the Sri Lankan navy in the past three decades allegedly for intruding in to the Sri Lankan waters.  Kachatheevu  was given to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on an accord signed between both the countries in 1974.  Repeated requests by the Dravidian parties and all sections of society from the state has not cut any ice and the assaults are going unchecked. On Sunday the Sri Lankan navy surrounded 10 boats and took away their catchment.  At the same time at Vederanyam, 8 fishermen were assaulted by the Lankan navy. Due to these continuous attacks, the fishermen feel dejected and have completely lost their faith in the government especially the centre.

Date: August 24, 2012

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