Chennai: DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday urged external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to initiate immediate steps to retrieve Katchatheevu to restore the traditional rights of the Indian fishermen and to stop the inhuman killings by Sri Lankan navy.
Citing the killing of Indian fishermen K. Britjo, Stalin said the Lankan navy had violated the agreement arrived at the tripartite talks so far held with the fishermen of both the countries. “On the fateful day, the fishermen entered into the sea only for their livelihood but the Lankan government which so far arrested and seized their boats has now taken the extreme and illegal act of killing our fisherman and grievously injuring other accompanying fishermen in that unprovoked and unjustifiable firing”, he said.
The monstrous act of killing by the island had sent shock waves among the fishermen in the state and uncontrollable anger is sweeping across the state.
“There is strong feeling and displeasure that the Central Government is not forthcoming actively to protect the lives of Indian fishermen- despite series of talks”, Stalin said. In international perspective, the Lankan navy’s breach is a blatant and barbaric violation of agreements reached after International talks.
The horrible part of the whole unlawful and unwarranted act is that the Government of Sri Lanka is in denial mode on this cold-blooded murder and even refuse to take the responsibility.
“Indian Coast Guard has the moral duty to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen entering into the sea for fishing. Tamil Nadu fishermen had been demanding protection of Union government to uphold their traditional fishing rights and a permanent solution to the lasting menace. He asked Sushma to condemn the Lankan government in unequivocal terms, besides summoning the envoy and warn him of dire consequences if such atrocities and killings continue.
Stalin asks SEC to hold civic polls as per HC time frame
DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday asked the State Election Commission to hold the local body elections as per the time frame given by the Madras high court and not to act according to the instructions of the state government.
Local bodies are essential for fulfilling the basic amenities of the people, but the state government does not want to hold the civic polls and trying hard to postpone the elections. In a case filed by the DMK, the Madras high court directed the government to hold the local body elections December 31, 2016, he noted.
Later, the Division Bench of the Madras high court on February 21 had ordered the holding of local body polls before May 14 and instructed the state government to provide the required staff for the process. However, the State EC had not taken steps for the conduct of the elections and maintaining silence, Stalin said.
The court itself had noted that there were arguments for two hours over the date of elections, showing the state government’s complacency in holding the local body polls. The state government had cited the tenth standard and plus-2 examinations as the reason for extending the service extension for the special officers. The same reason was put before the court which gave its order to hold elections before May 14 only after taking account the state government’s contentions, Stalin noted.
State EC is an autonomous body with full powers to hold the local body elections, but it is hesitant to do it, he said describing it as an action against democracy and Constitution.
