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Indian fisher groups to launch anti-Lankan protest near Katchatheevu
Ahead of scheduled Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on May 28, Indian fishermen groups are set to stage a protest near the Katchatheevu islet next Saturday (January 23) with black flags.
Their aim is to condemn Sri Lanka’s moves to auction more than 100 Indian trawlers in custody and denial of their ‘traditional right’ to fish around the islet.
The Rameshwaram fishermen groups met this week and collectively decided to launch a ‘protest with black flags’ in mid sea towards the islet which comes under the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka in terms of the Indo-Lanka agreement of 1974.
A resolution was passed by the Rameshwaram fishermen groups alleging that Sri Lankan government continued to prevent them from fishing around the islet which they claimed as their ‘traditional right’. The groups also condemned the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to auction the seized Indian trawlers.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times the protesting Indian fishermen could come but, in keeping with the law, they would not be allowed to engage in fishing activities.
Navy Spokesperson Indika de Silva said the Navy was not aware of such a protest being planned by Indian fishermen next week. “It is too early to comment but anyhow, the Navy will act according to the law.”
The Navy has continued to arrest Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the annual St. Antony’s feast at Katchatheevu this year will not be held because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the two countries, Jaffna’s District Secretary K. Mahesan said.
During the annual festival held in the first week of every March, some 2000 pilgrims from India and more than 5000 devotees from Sri Lanka meet at the uninhabited island for a two-day feast at St. Anthony’s shrine. The saint is regarded as the ‘Guardian of fisherfolk at mid sea’.
(See related story on Page 16)