VCK for scrapping Katchatheevu agreement with Lanka

Chennai, Jan 27 (UNI) The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the DMK-led DPA, has urged the Centre to nullify the Katchatheevu agreement with Sri Lanka and declare the area as an integral part of the Indian territory.

A resolution adopted at the party's one-day rally-cum-conference on 'Rights of Freedom of Expression' here, wanted the Centre to allow Tamil fishermen to fish in the Katchatheevu area and provide them adequate security to them.

Alleging that handing over Katchatheevu to the Lankan Government was an ''injustice'' meted out to the Tamils, it said fishermen from Tamil Nadu had been fishing in the area for ages.

''But today, whenever fishermen strayed into the area, they were subjected to indiscriminate killing by the Lankan Navy.'' Compounding the woes of Tamil Nadu fishermen, the Lankan Government had installed under water defence system (sea mines) between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu, preventing them from entering the area.

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