Retrieval of Katchchatheevu is the only permanent solution to T.N. fishermen's woes, reiterates CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) said that retrieving Katchchatheevu from Sri Lanka could be the only permanent solution to the issues faced by fishermen in the State. He also recalled the recent special resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, insisting on the retrieval of the islet from the neighbouring island nation.
'Over the past four years, 1,383 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and 185 boats confiscated in 97 incidents. I have written 76 letters to the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, requesting to secure the release of the arrested fishermen and their boats,' Mr. Stalin said, while addressing a government function at Tiruvottiyur near Chennai.
Whenever he has met the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, he has raised these issues with them, Mr. Stalin said, and underlined the efforts of the MPs from the DMK and its allies in urging the Union government on this issue in Parliament.
'Only because we kept raising this issue, 1,354 fishermen have been released so far. We have been continuously taking steps to bring back the remaining 29 fishermen. The Sri Lankan government has not released 229 boats that have been confiscated since 2018,' Mr. Stalin said.
While efforts, including a political campaign to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, were on, Mr. Stalin said on the other hand, the government has provided aid to the affected owners of boats — ₹5 lakh each to 129 owners of mechanised boats and ₹1.5 lakh to 26 owners of country craft. The aid has since been increased to ₹6 lakh and then to ₹8 lakh, he said.
Projects inaugurated
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated 13 projects that have been completed at a total cost of ₹596 crore and launched special programmes for the welfare of fishermen in Palk Bay. He launched 'Alaigal' to provide micro loans to women groups and also began the distribution of welfare measures to the tune of ₹10 crore to over 2,200 beneficiaries.
Mr. Stalin said that of the seven fishing harbours that were to be established at a total cost of ₹258 crore, four were completed and have come into use, while steps were on to complete the remaining projects.
Ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and P.K. Sekarbabu; North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy; legislators K.P. Shankar, S. Sudharsanam, R.D. Shekar, Thayagam Kavi, Durai Chandrasekar, Katharbatcha Muthuramalingam, M.K. Mohan, Joseph Samuel, J.J. Ebenezer, Idream R. Murthy; and senior officials were present.
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