The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Centre to deploy within 10.
Days, sufficient number of Coastguard vessels to ensure that Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, are not subjected to alleged atrocities.
The interim order was passed by a division Bench of Justices K.N. Basha and M. Venugopal, after admitting a petition filed by Advocate B Stalin.
The Judges said the direction was in view of the serious apprehension
expressed by Counsel for the Petitioner, to the effect, that there was serious threat to the life, security and livelihood of Indian fishermen, due to the alleged acts of the Sri Lanka Navy.
“It is needless to state that, unless the Indian fishermen were able to exercise their right to fishing, it is inherently impossible for them to survive, as they are solely depending on only the vocation of fishing,” the court said.
“Any threat to their life and security, in exercising their right of fishing, would ultimately infringe their fundamental right to livelihood, enshrined in the Constitution.
It is also pertinent to note that the main prayer of the Petitioner is for a direction to the respondents to provide Naval ships, all along the Indo-Sri Lanka oceanic borders separating Indian and Lankan waters, and further provide Air Force cover to the Tamil fishermen between the international waters of India and Sri Lanka, and lastly, to provide Coastguard personnel on the vessels, yachts, steamers and boats to accompany the Tamil fishermen who ventured out to fish,” the court said further. reports PTI. |
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