Katchatheevu triggers heated debates

Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed noisy scenes when finance and fisheries minister D. Jayakumar on Monday alleged that granting of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974 is the main reason for the problems faced by the state fishermen, Deccan Chronicle reported.

Intervening during the speech of leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on a call attention on the killing of Thangachimadam fishermen Britjo allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy, the minister recalled the granting of Katchatheevu islet. The DMK members were on their feet strongly objecting to Jayakumar's remarks, leading to noisy scenes in the House.

Speaker P. Dhanapal tried to pacify the DMK members saying that the minister did not refer to the DMK and he was only making a general statement. The minister also asked why the DMK members are agitated at the mention of Katchatheevu.

However, Stalin pointed out that the islet was granted when DMK was in power and listed the party's actions opposing the move by the Centre. He said DMK leader M. Karunanidhi  who was the Chief Minister in 1974 had written a letter to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi  against granting Katchatheevu to Lanka.

Karunanidhi had recorded the state government's strong opposition to the move with the officials of foreign affairs. Since, the Centre had the power to decide, the islet was granted to Lanka, he explained.