MADURAI: DMK parliamentary party leader T R Baalu has written to Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare, rural development and food processing industries Narendra Singh Tomar pressing for the Centre's intervention to ensure an equal fishing space and rights for Tamil Nadu fishermen in sea off Katchatheevu islet.
In the letter, the former Union minister for shipping pointed out the ‘unprovoked conflict’ between Indian fishermen from Rameswaram and the Sri Lankan navy off Katchatheevu on Saturday. He condemned the Lankan navy’s action.
Baalu said there were many cases of fishermen being arrested, attacked and chased away by the Sri Lankan navy. He sought a permanent solution for the issue and compensation from the government for the losses incurred by the fishermen.
Baalu said the fishermen set sail to catch fish after 15 days and met with the dire situation.
He said that the incident had left fishermen of Rameswaram in deep anguish and shattered due to the loss of fishing equipment worth Rs 20 lakh.
Stating that fishermen along the eastern of coastline were solely dependent on marine fishing for their survival, he added that they were already subjected to many other vulnerabilities.