Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Abduction And Illegally Detaining Of Tamil Fishermen By Shri ... on 30 August, 2013
> Title: Issue regarding abduction and illegally detaining of Tamil fishermen by Shri Lankan Navy.
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI (KARUR): Sir, on 26th August, 2013, the Sri Lankan Navy had abducted and illegally detained 35 poor innocent Tamil Nadu fishermen belonging to Pamban area in Ramanathapuram District. They have been apprehended and taken to Sri Lanka. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Kindly take your seats.
… (Interruptions)
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI : Not only this, there are several such incidents taking place. Prior to this, on 30th and 31st July, 2013, in two separate incidents Sri Lankan Naval Authorities had abducted and detained 36 fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: You want to raise some issue. I will give you an opportunity to speak. Kindly listen to me.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seats. Definitely you will get an opportunity to speak. You can express your sentiments.
… (Interruptions)
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI : Nearly 112 Tamil Nadu fishermen are languishing in Sri Lankan jails. Sri Lankan Navy is committing atrocities on them. … (Interruptions) In this connection, the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written letters to the hon. Prime Minister requesting him to take necessary action to release the Tamil Nadu fishermen who are in Sri Lankan jails. … (Interruptions) In spite of so many letters the Government has not taken any action. Therefore, I am requesting the Government. … (Interruptions)
Hon. Home Minister is present in the House. Let the Home Minister convey our sentiments to the hon. Prime Minister. … (Interruptions) The Prime Minister should take immediate action and see that all the fishermen are released at the earliest. … (Interruptions)
I think the only solution to this problem is to get back the Katchatheevu Island.… (Interruptions) The cession of this Island to Sri Lanka was a wrong decision. The Parliament has not endorsed the view of cession.… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Kindly take your seats. He is raising a very important issue.
… (Interruptions)
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI: Our hon. Chief Minister has already gone to the Supreme Court against this decision. I hope the Central Government will take action and see to it that the island is ceded back to our Indian territory. This is the only solution to the problems of fishermen. Navy is committing a lot of atrocities on the Indian fishermen. The Central Government has to take action. Since the Government is not taking any action tension prevails in Tamil Nadu. We are facing a lot of problems. This is a serious issue.… (Interruptions) Other Indian fishermen arrested in Pakistan have been released. Why no action is being taken with regard to Tamil Nadu fishermen?… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Kindly, be brief.
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI: This is a serious issue. The Central Government should take necessary action. Otherwise, there will be a lot of agitation. Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written a number of letters to the hon. Prime Minister… (Interruptions) No action has been taken in this regard and therefore, I accuse the Central Government of taking a partisan attitude with regard to this serious issue.… (Interruptions) The Government should see that the Tamil Nadu fishermen are released immediately. I once again request the hon. Prime Minister to take action in this regard.