Northern fishermen up in arms
by P. Krishnaswamy
Jaffna District Parliamentarian, Minister Douglas Devananda, and all
fishermen's unions in the Northern Province have vehemently condemned
the double standards adopted by Tamil Nadu political leaders on the
livelihood problem of Northern fishermen.
Instead of trying to restore the status quo and gain political
mileage, the Tamil Nadu political leaders should view the livelihood
problems of the Tamils of the North and the East, Minister Devananda
said.
The Northern fishermen are unable to go to sea to eke out a living
due to threats from thousands of poachers who continue to deplete the
fish resources by engaging in illegal methods, Presidents of Fishermen's
Unions representing the four fishing districts of the Northern Province
said.
The Katchativu Island that was ceded to Sri Lanka is now used by
Northern Tamil fishermen. The Tamil Nadu leaders who are agitating to
retrieve this island should understand this fact as well, they said.
Minister Devananda said that bottom trawler fishing by poachers has
caused a grave livelihood problem to the Northern fishermen.
The fishermen are unable to go to sea because they are threatened by
poachers and their fishing method also destroys their nets, he said. The
Northern fishermen lost their lives and properties during the
three-decade terrorism and were unable to fish during that period, he
said.
Although peace and normalcy have been restored the cross-border
problem deters them from going to sea, he said. Minister Devananda held
discussions with fishermen's representatives from both sides during St.
Anthony's church festival in Katchaitivu last month and made
representations to the two Governments stressing the need for joint
patrolling in the Palk Straits, he said.
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