Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Problem Of Harassment To Indian Tamil Fishermen. on 3 March, 2015
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Issue regarding problem of harassment to Indian Tamil Fishermen.
SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA (RAMANATHAPURAM): Sir, our Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu face death and threat to their livelihoods every time they go to the sea for fishing.
Hon.Makkal Muthalvar Amma is very particular about this issue and Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has taken effective steps to get back both our fishing rights and Katchatheevu.
We hope that the change of Government in Sri Lanka will help our poor fishermen but it is not happening. On his first foreign visit, the Sri Lankan President Srisena came to India recently. After meeting our hon. Prime Minister, in a Press release they said that the problem faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen will be amicably solved through dialogue.
On the eve of this visit 81 fishing boats kept under the custody of Sri Lankan authorities were released. But to the contrary, capturing of boats and harassment to our fishermen continues. So far during this brief period, 86 fishermen in six boats were captured by the Sri Lankan Navy and put in prison.
Even this morning the Sri Lankan Navy brutally attacked our fishermen at Rameshwaram area. I come to know that our hon. Minister for External Affairs is about to go to Sri Lanka prior to the visit of our hon. Prime Minister.
So, I want to urge upon the Government that they must find an end once and for all to this unending problem of harassment to our Indian Tamil fishermen. Thank you, Sir.
DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS : Sir, I associate with him in this matter.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: All right.