The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : DMK had opposed ceding of Katchatheevu: Karunanidhi

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DMK had opposed ceding of Katchatheevu: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

“Ready to move resolution for its retrieval if all parties support it”

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government was strongly opposed to the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Thursday.

Yet, it was ceded to Sri Lanka. Even then, on the insistence of the DMK government, clauses that provided for fishing rights, permission to visit the islet on pilgrimage and drying of nets were included in the 1974 agreement.

However, the clauses were removed during the Emergency when there was no popular government in the State. The State government had been pressing for the inclusion of the clauses with the Centre, Mr. Karunanidhi said, concluding the debate on a special call attention notice in the Assembly on the Katchatheevu issue.

Explaining his party’s position, the Chief Minister said, “The DMK neither agreed with the decision of ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka nor gave assent to it.” When a resolution was taken up in Parliament for adoption, his party had staged a walkout. “On many occasions, not just the DMK, the DMK government too did not hesitate to demand retrieval of Katchatheevu. The DMK government, while pointing out the harm caused to fishermen in Katchatheevu, was never reluctant to seek remedy.”

Referring to reactions of Members of Legislative Assembly to news reports that a lighthouse-type structure was being built in the islet to monitor the movement of troops, the Chief Minister said if such a situation happened, the Centre could not and should not remain a spectator. It was to press this point that the MLAs had made caution.

Adverting to the suggestions made by V. Sivapunniyam (Communist Party of India) and G.K. Mani (Pattali Makkal Katchi) of an all-party meeting and a resolution in this regard, Mr. Karunanidhi said the CPI leader was not oblivious to the fact that unity among political parties in the State was such that some parties would declare their intention of not attending such a meeting as soon as a call was given. Also, the present circumstances were such that a mere statement after an all-party meeting would not be sufficient.

When a resolution was taken up for the retrieval of Katchatheevu during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime, the DMK did not stage a walkout but supported the move for its adoption. He (Mr. Karunanidhi) would be willing to move a resolution if an assurance was given that all parties, including the Opposition, would support it.

Earlier, D. Jayakumar (AIADMK), participating in the debate, said Katchatheevu was handed over when the DMK was in power. No steps had been taken to retrieve it. He complained that the State government had not announced the steps taken by it to find seven fishermen of Kasimedu, missing since May 30.

K. Mahendran (CPI-Marxist) urged the Chief Minister to press the Centre for safeguarding fishermen.

D. Ravikumar (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi) wanted the Centre to take back Katchatheevu.

C. Gnanasekaran (Congress) stressed the need for protecting fishermen’s rights.

Mr. Mani said the issue should be seen from the angle of national security.

Members of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a walkout as their plea for participation in the debate was disallowed. Speaker R. Avudaippan said the party did not give any notice.

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