The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre if talks through diplomatic and political channels between India and Sri lanka could provide a solution to the plight faced by Tamil fishermen caught and killed by the Sri lankan Navy.
The comment came from the court on a set of PIls filed by Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu cutting across party lines who joined cause to seek Court’s intervention to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Voicing concern over Tamil Nadu fishermen who unknowingly become victims for innocently transgressing into Sri lankan waters, MPs from DMK and the ruling AIADMK parties also sought release of fishermen languishing in lankan jails.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam issued notice to the Centre and Tamil Nadu Government as it raised a query, “Is it not possible to solve the problem diplomatically and politically.” The petitioners informed the Court that since boundaries are not earmarked the problem is recurring resulting in loss of innocent lives. The Navy not only captured fishermen but also damaged their boats which took four-five months for their return home. The Centre was asked to respond in four weeks.
More than the cause, the bench was impressed to note that the petitioners DMK MP AKS Vijayan and AIADMK MP M Thambidurai had shed their differences and decided to unite for a good cause. “We are happy that all MPs of Tamil Nadu are united on this issue. All lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members are before us.”
The parliamentarians suggested for an expert body to be constituted to examine the issue while diplomatic talks between the two countries could help determine the stop limit for our fishermen. Prior to filing of PIl, the MPs were aggrieved over non-response from the Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs on their successive representations.
The concern required urgent consideration as very recently, on the night of July 11, 2013, two fishermen from Akkarapettai and Nagoor villages were captured and their fishing net worth Rs 36 lakh seized. Three weeks later, the Sri lankan Navy captured 65 fishermen and nine boats. More than 400 fishermen from the state have died since 1983, the petition said.