Centre asked to reconsider 1974 agreement on Katchatheevu with Sri Lanka

The plea was put forth by DMDK leader Vijayakant,Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly.

DMDK founder and Opposition leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Vijayakant today asked the Centre to review the 1974 agreement ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka,and said it will be a solution to end attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,he said it was quite natural for treaties to be reviewed and altered if unforeseen hardship is caused.

Indian fishermen were ‘threatening’ to cross Palk Straits and settle in Sri Lanka “just for their survival,” he said.

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He urged the Prime Minister to take up the matter with Sri Lanka and arrive at an early settlement,and if necessary review the 1974 accord.

He said even the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1987 was not being honoured by Colombo.

“As circumstances change and unforeseen hardship is caused,it is quite natural for any treaty to be reviewed and altered,if necessary. We,therefore,request you to take up the 1974 Indo-Sri Lanka agreement ceding Katchatheevu,an islet on the Palk Straits,to Government of Sri Lanka (and it) be reopened and reviewed to obviate untold sufferings faced by our fishermen on a daily basis at the hands of Sri Lankan

Navy,” he said.

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