Tamil Nadu party leaders voice their anger, seek action

Chennai: Tamil Nadu has erupted in anger at the Sri Lankan Navy shooting down Rameswaram fisherman Brijo with several politicos coming out with condemnatory statements calling for stiff action against Colombo and the fishermen in several coastal pockets launching agitations.

They say that the robust public shows for jallikattu and against the hydrocarbon project in Neduvasal should inspire them to not give up their agitation until the Ministry of External Affairs came up with the assurance guaranteeing their right to fish in their traditional waters without fear of the Lankan guns.

“There seems to be no meaning calling Sri Lanka a friendly country”, said DMK working president M.K. Stalin. “India should not remain mute spectator when the Lankan navy shoots our fishermen. We must summon Lankan diplomats and warn them of serious consequences”.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said since the attack had happened within Indian waters, Colombo should be asked to surrender the navy personnel involved, failing which India should seek Interpol help to arrest them.

Naam Thamizhar leader P. Seeman went a step further demanding to know whether Tamils “are still part of India” as the Indian Navy “is silently watching” the Lankan navy's violence on TN fishermen. This was not just an attack on Tamil Nadu but was an affront on India itself, he said, demanding that Delhi sever diplomatic ties with

Colombo and impose economic embargo on Sri Lanka. MDMK chief Vaiko too expressed similar sentiments and made same demands. The Left leaders also came out strongly against Colombo, so did VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, who said whether it was the Congress or the BJP ruling, India continued to support Sri Lanka through the years despite the violence against the Tamils by the ‘Sinhala chauvinists’.

With many TN leaders renewing their demand that India should retrieve the Katchatheevu island as that would guarantee the safety of TN fishermen in Palk Bay, Colombo should get worried that Brijo’s death could have some far-reaching implications, particularly if the fishermen’s agitations spread to other areas and take inspiration from the Jallikattu and hydrocarbon campaigns.