Sensitise Tamil fishermen against entering Sri Lanka waters, SC tells centre

While hearing a batch of petitions challenging the "unconstitutional ceding" of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka, orally observed that Indian Tamil fishermen need to be sensitised against entering Sri Lankan waters for fishing in Katchatheevu, NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Key points

• Regarding the interpretation of the 1974 and 1976 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreements, Justice Kumar asked the AG, "Are you talking to them about the treaty?"
• Senior Advocate P Wilson remarked an amendment of Schedule I of the Constitution is necessary to ratify the agreement.
• Prashanto Chandra Sen, AAG for TN, defended the fishermen, claiming that they don't pollute the waterbodies.
• Justice Kumar stressed that something needs to be done regarding the arrests, adding that the fishermen must be "sensitised to not go beyond a particular point".
• The AG responded, The administration doesn't want to secure into it.

After Attorney General R Venkataramani remarked the administration is fully aware of the problems and would take necessary measures, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva adjourned the hearing to February 2027.

In practice, the AG responded, "The administration doesn't want to secure into it. They entered into it initially but then dropped it at some point of time." He additionally went on that India does not want to spoil its excellent relationship with Sri Lanka.

On fishermen crossing over to international waters, the AG remarked that marine pollution has allegedly led to non-availability of fish on Indian shores. "We are polluting our seas. Fishermen are informed not to go into territorial waters of Sri Lanka, they still venture there, " he went on.

Prashanto Chandra Sen, AAG for TN, defended the fishermen, claiming that they don't pollute the waterbodies. AAG Haripriya remarked the problem should be resolved by the union administration with Sri Lanka, citing Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's recent letter to the centre urging it to take steps for the early release of 20 fishermen in custody in Sri Lanka.

Taken together, the developments around sensitise Tamil fishermen against entering Sri Lanka waters, SC tells centre point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.