Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar, The DMK Government has always staunchly opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu and has fought tirelessly to protect the...
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, demanding decisive diplomatic action to retrieve Katchatheevu and protect Tamil fishermen.
M.K.Stalin@mkstalinOriginal post
Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar, The DMK Government has always staunchly opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu and has fought tirelessly to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Despite the BJP-led government being in power for the third consecutive term, no meaningful steps have been taken to retrieve the island except for using the issue as an election-time rhetoric. Meanwhile, our fishermen continue to be arrested, with 25 more apprehended on 01.07.2024.
The need of the hour is to ease the problems faced by the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and to find a lasting solution to this festering problem.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed an urgent communication to Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, demanding permanent diplomatic solutions to prevent the relentless apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. Highlighting the detention of twenty-five additional fishermen on July 1, 2024, Stalin expressed grave distress over the escalating harassment, confiscation of motorized trawlers, and economic destitution inflicted upon traditional fishing families along the Palk Bay.
The Chief Minister recalled that the DMK has historically and consistently opposed the ceding of the Katchatheevu islet, fighting tirelessly across judicial and political forums to restore traditional fishing rights. Stalin pointedly criticized the Union BJP government for utilizing the sensitive Katchatheevu issue as mere electoral campaign rhetoric while failing to take meaningful diplomatic or strategic steps to retrieve the island despite being in power for a third consecutive term.
Stalin urged the Ministry of External Affairs to engage directly with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest diplomatic level to secure the immediate release of all detained fishermen and their impounded vessels. He stressed that protecting the fundamental right to livelihood of Tamil Nadu's coastal community requires sustained, decisive central action rather than domestic political posturing.