Vasan deplores Sri Lanka stand on fishermen

Deploring Sri Lanka for threatening to open fire and arrest the Indian fishermen crossing the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) for fishing, Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) president G.K. Vasan has said ‘threats and advises’ would not help to find a lasting solution to the vexatious issue.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Vasan regretted that no tangible solution was in sight for the Palk Bay conflict even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka and despite three rounds of talks between the fishermen of the two countries.

When the fishermen were looking for a positive signal from the Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen after the third round of talks held in Chennai on April 24, the Sri Lankan government hardened its stand, warning that its navy would arrest the fishermen found poaching in their waters, he said.

When a delegation of fishermen leaders met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi recently with high hopes of arriving at a solution, Ms. Swaraj disappointed them by advising not to cross the IMBL and avoid conflicts with Sri Lanka. The Minister, who was well aware that fishermen have to abandon fishing if they were asked not to fish across the boundary line, showed no interest in solving the issue, he charged. 

Adding to the woes, the Coast Guard had filed an affidavit before the Madurai Bench of Madras High court defaming the fishing community, he said.