Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

DMK observes fast in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin

— Photo: N. Rajesh

Seeking protective steps: N.Siva, MP, left, leading a fast observed by DMK members in Tuticorin on Friday.

TIRUNELVELI: Led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s High Level Policy Implementation Committee member A. Rahman Khan, party cadres and leaders observed a fast at Uvari, a coastal hamlet about 55 km from here, on Saturday in protest against “repeated murderous attack on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy”.

Pursuant to the direction from the party high command to organise hunger strike in protest against the ongoing attacks on the Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and press the Union Government to reclaim the Tamil Nadu fisherfolks’ rights over Katchativu, the protest was conducted at Uvari.

Inaugurating the protest, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs V. Radhika Selvi, said that the Sri Lankan officials attached to the country’s embassy at Chennai assured a delegation led by Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin that the Navy of the island nation would not attack the Tamil fishermen. However, the guarantee had been breached since the Sri Lankan Navy had detained the several boats of Tamil fishermen, damaged the fish-gears, seized the catch and finally, hunted down several Tamil fishermen even after the assurance.

“The livelihood of Tamil fishermen will be protected at any cost,” she assured.

Addressing among the protestors, Mr. Rahman Khan said the protest being organised across the State to express solidarity with the fishermen facing serious threat to their life every day from Sri Lankan Navy, would be a major success as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would reflect the sentiments of Tamils over the continuing mid-sea killing during the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation conference to be held in the island nation.

Minister for Environment, Sports and Youth Welfare T.P.M. Maideen Khan, MLAs M. Appavu of Radhapuram, N. Maalairaja of Tirunelveli, Deputy Mayor of Tirunelveli Corporation K. Muthuramalingam, District Pancahyat chairperson M. Graham Bell, chairpersons of Tirunelveli Corporation Suba. Seetharaman of Palayamkottai Zone and S.S. Mohamed Maideen of Melapalayam Zone and party functionaries participated.

Members of the DMK led by former Minister S.P. Sarkuna Pandiyan observed a fast in front of the Anna Stadium here on Saturday.

She said that the Central Government should to ensure the welfare of fishing community. Tourism Minister, N. Suresh Rajan, MLAs, A. Rajan, T.T. Reginald, district organiser of the DMK youth wing Mahesh and Agasteeswaram union secretary of DMK Pon. Chinnathurai tookpart.

About 1,000 members of DMK observed a fast near the Gandhi Statue here on Saturday, to protest the recent killings of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The agitators urged the Centre to take steps on a war footing to prevent any further “atrocities” by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The DMK men wanted the Prime Minister to convey the “concern of the Indian government and fishermen community to the President of Sri Lanka and exhort him to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

Similarly, the Centre should express the displeasure in strong terms condemning the killings of “innocent” Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Lankan Navy.

To protect the life and paraphernalia of fishermen, effective safeguards should be devised by the Centre immediately.

Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N. Siva led the agitation. Minister for Social Welfare P. Geetha Jeevan and former MLA and district secretary of the party N. Periyasamy participated.

Over 2,000 cadres of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam observed a dawn-to-dusk fast in front of the municipal office here on Saturday to protest killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Several speakers urged the Centre to protect fishermen. The fast was presided over by Revenue Minister I. Periasamy.

The State Government had offered financial assistance to family members of the deceased. The Central Government should talk to the Sri Lankan Government to issue appropriate instructions to its Navy in this connection, they appealed.

Hundreds of cadres led by the Special Representative for Tamil Nadu in New Delhi, P. Selvendran, observed a fast, pressing same demands. They wanted the Centre to protect the lives of Indian fishermen.

Hundreds of cadres participated in a fast here on Saturday.

The former Minister, Poongothai Aladi Aruna, led the protest.

Among the participants were the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and the Minister for School Education, Thangam Thennarasu.

Speakers at the protest condemned the Sri Lankan Navy for indiscriminate firing on Indian fishermen.

Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare A. Tamilarasi listed out various benefits the fishing community enjoyed after the DMK Government assumed office in the State. Among them was the increase in allotment of diesel at concessional rate from 1,000 litres to 1,500 litres. Over 5,000 fishermen benefited from the State Government’s allocation of Rs. 259 lakh for diesel, she said.

Sholavandan MLA and party’s rural district secretary P. Moorthi said that the Centre would implement Tamil Nadu’s demand on the fishermen’s issue after winning the vote of trust.

Madurai Mayor G. Thenmozhi, Madurai Central MLA S.S. Ghouse Basha, party leaders Pon. Muthuramalingam, Samayanallur S. Selvaraj and Kayalvizhi M.K. Azhagiri were among those who participated.

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