Human Sacrifices: Human sacrifices have become the order of the day in Indian seawaters bordering Katchativu islands of Sri Lanka today. The victims are hapless Tamil Nadu
fishermen who are either captured and incarcerated in Sri Lankan jails indefinitely or are shot dead in Katchativu
waters by Sri Lankan Navy. The reason is that the Sri Lankan Navy suspects our fishermen to be LTTE militants. As of late, the Sri Lankan Navy has planted seamines also in Katchativu-Neduntivu waters in order to ward off LTTE militants. Sri Lanka''''s purpose may be correct taking into consideration the national safety of Sri Lanka. But, Indian fishermen become potential victims of these seamines which will reduce them to ashes the moment they touch these mines inadvertently while
fishing. The safe return of our fishermen to Rameswaram shores has become a big question mark now! The controversial Katchativu Island is 10 nautical miles away from Sri Lanka and 12 nautical miles from Rameswaram. Since it is closer to Sri Lankan shores, the 1974 India-Sri Lanka
pact was signed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 26.6.1974 and by Sri Lankan President Sirimao Bandaranayake on 28.6.1974 by which India ceded Katchativu to Sri Lanka with the provision that Indian fishermen can do fishing in Katchativu waters, dry their fishing nets in Katchativu sands and take rest there. The March 23, 1976 amendment to the pact made Katchativu exclusive territory of Sri Lanka and barred Indian fishermen from entering it. The pact tied India and Sri Lankan governments, but killed Tamil Nadu fishermen. The only solution is amendment of the pact to restore to Tamil Nadu fishermen their rights for fishing in Katchativu waters, pleads editorial in conclusion”.
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