Members from various political parties in Tamil Nadu expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the arrest of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, an issue that saw a clash between the DMK and the AIADMK members.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi present when the issue was being raised, there was a demand from members belonging to the DMK, the CPI(M) and the CPI that he should respond to their concern.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, T. Siva (DMK) said that despite the issue having been raised in Parliament several times, it continues to happen regularly and it seems raising the matter in the House has become a “futile exercise”.
He said that he was highlighting the issue in the House for the second time within 15 days as 40 fishermen of Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in November and 38 are languishing in jails there.
Holding that the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between India and Sri Lanka and the issue of Kachchatheevu are “not settled”, Mr. Siva urged the government to “first retrieve Kachchatheevu”.
Mr. Siva said there is dismay and despair in the minds of Tamils in the State and alleged that be it UPA or NDA, they are “totally neglecting” Tamil Nadu as he demanded a response from the government.
Leader of the AIADMK in the House A. Navneethakrishnan said Tamil fishermen are being treated as “slaves” in Sri Lanka.
Members of the DMK and the AIADMK clashed over certain remarks by a DMK member, which could not be heard in the din. The AIADMK members including V. Maitreyan were seen rushing towards the seats of the DMK members.
(The Hindu)
