(a) whether many fishermen of Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu are allegedly killed or injured by the Sri Lankan Navy whenever they go fishing in the waters around Katchatheevu Island, about 18 kms from Rameshwaram and rich in marine life;
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government so far to protect the lives and rights of these fishermen; and
(c) the appropriate steps taken/proposed to be taken to wrest back the rights over Katchatheevu Island?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) & (b) No Sir. There was a report of an incident involving an attack on 4 fishermen while they were fishing near Katchativu Island on January 8, 2006. This incident was taken up immediately with Sri Lankan authorities. The Sri Lankan Government has conveyed that the incident was investigated by a designated Board and it was found that on the day of the incident, the Sri Lankan Navy was not operating in that area. Incidents of harassment of Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lankan waters are taken up immediately with the concerned Sri Lankan authorities. It is Government`s assessment that Sri Lanka has adhered to its commitment regarding humane treatment of straying fishermen.
(c) The 1974 Agreement on the demarcation of the International Maritime Boundary Line between India and Sri Lanka as also the Exchange of Letters of 1976 on the issue of fishing rights stipulate that fishing vessels and fishermen of India shall not engage in fishing in the historic waters, territorial seas and the Exclusive Economic Zones of Sri Lanka. Indian fishermen, therefore, do not have the legal right to fish in the waters in Katchativu Island. Under the Agreement, Indian fishermen are allowed access to the island for rest, for drying of nets and for the annual St. Anthony`s festival. The right of access is not understood to cover fishing rights around the island.