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NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
MK Stalin Asks PM Modi To Intervene In Katchatheevu Dispute, BJP Hits Back
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has renewed his call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct intervention to resolve the long-standing Katchatheevu dispute and secure the release of Indian fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lankan prisons. In a sharp attack, Mr Stalin alleged that the BJP-led central government has failed to protect Tamil Nadu's fishermen over the past 10 years, while simultaneously politicising the Katchatheevu issue without taking tangible action. "Only a direct intervention by the Prime Minister can bring a lasting solution for Tamil fishermen," Mr Stalin asserted, questioning why External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has not rebutted Sri Lanka's recent claims on the issue. The Chief Minister referred to Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda's remarks that Tamil Nadu fishermen frequently trespass and that Colombo would not return the Katchatheevu island. Mr Stalin criticised the Centre for remaining silent in the face of these claims. He also pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Assembly has already passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu and claimed that he has personally raised the issue with the Prime Minister on multiple occasions. "The DMK government will continue its efforts to retrieve Katchatheevu," he said. In response, BJP spokesperson Narayan Tirupathy hit back, saying it was under the Congress regime at the Centre and DMK's rule in Tamil Nadu that Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. "DMK did nothing when they shared power at the Centre for 14 years," said Mr Tirupathy. "We have ensured no firing by the Lankan Navy, unlike in Congress rule, where nearly 1,000 fishermen were killed. We've even saved a fisherman from a death sentence." For a specific question on Lanka auctioning seized Indian fishing boats and crippling the livelihood of Indian fishermen, Mr Tirupathy said, "We have held several rounds of talks between affected Lankan Tamil fishermen and Indian Tamil fishermen. Unless you talk with them and find a solution, it's not going to end. I think we are on the right track". Meanwhile, maritime and diplomacy experts have warned that retrieving Katchatheevu alone may not resolve the issue. The real problem, they say, is the depletion of fish stocks in Indian waters, forcing fishermen to deliberately venture into Sri Lankan territory. They recommend that India consider negotiating a long-term lease or fishing rights agreement with Sri Lanka, rather than fixating solely on territorial control of Katchatheevu. As tensions rise over the island, the issue is set to be a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
India Today
29-06-2025
- India Today
Coast guard arrests 3 Sri Lankans with criminal records infiltrating Tamil Nadu
The Indian Coast Guard has arrested three Sri Lankan nationals-two Sinhalese and one Lankan-Tamil while they attempted to infiltrate Tamil Nadu by sea in the early hours of Saturday. The arrest took place near Dhanushkodi, a region infamous for smuggling and other cross-border illegal activities due to its proximity to the Sri Lankan on a tip-off, the Coast Guard intensified surveillance and deployed hovercrafts to patrol the sand ridges that naturally formed in the narrow sea corridor between India and Sri Lanka. Around 4 AM, officials spotted and intercepted three individuals stranded on the fourth sand questioning, the individuals identified themselves as Sumith Rolan Fernando, Sahara Gunathilaga, both Sinhalese, and Kabilan, a Lankan Tamil. 'The three had reportedly paid Rs 2 lakh and left Pechalai district by 9 pm Friday night and reached the ridge by 4 am and had further planned to leave for a European nation through Tamilnadu,' said was previously arrested in a drug-related case and is currently out on bail. The two Sinhalese also have criminal records linked to the drug mafia, sources a similar instance earlier, the Sri Lankan Coast Guard had arrested two other individuals: Immanuel Mushab and Ajithan, both with criminal backgrounds, while they were attempting to infiltrate into Tamil arrested individuals were handed over to the State Marine Police at Mandapam for further investigation. The Coast Guard continues to maintain heightened vigilance along the Tamil Nadu coast, especially in areas vulnerable to illegal sea Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Coast Guard nabs 3 Lankans off Dhanushkodi
Rameswaram: The (ICG) on Saturday morning apprehended three Sri Lankan nationals, including one Lankan Tamil and two Sinhalese, while trying to illegally enter India through the 4th sand dune area near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Dhanushkodi coast in Ramanathapuram district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said the Coast Guard's air-cushion vehicle (ACV H-197) was on routine surveillance when its crew noticed the three. They were apprehended by 9am, brought ashore at Arichalmunai, and handed over to Marine Police. The detained people were S Kabilan, 34, a Sri Lankan Tamil from Mullaitivu, and two Sinhalese men — Mathivilagu Asutha Gunathilaga, 33, and Sumithrolan Fernando,43, from Negombo. The trio said they set off from the Mannar coast the previous night, to infiltrate Tamil Nadu via sea. Sources said the three had no valid documents permitting entry into India and are suspected to have paid agents to facilitate the illegal transit. No contraband or weapons were found in their possession, but probe is on for possible links to smuggling or organised networks operating across the Palk Strait. Mandapam Marine Police and state police officials are coordinating with central intelligence agencies to ascertain the motive behind the illegal entry, as the three are alleged to have a criminal background.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shooting of Sasikumar, Lijomol Jose's 'Freedom' wrapped up
Director SathyaSiva, who is currently directing the action drama, 'Freedom', featuring actors Sasikumar and Lijomol Jose in the lead, on Monday announced that the shooting of the film had been wrapped up. Taking to his X timeline, Sathya Siva announced, "It's a Wrap. @SasikumarDir 's Action entertainer #Freedom shooting has been successfully completed! #FreedomFromJuly10. Directed by @Sathyasivadir. Produced by @vijayganapathys. @PandiyanParasu. Music by @GhibranVaibodha. @jose_lijomol @thesudevnair @DirectorBose @MalavikaBJP." The film, which is a gripping drama, is based on a true incident and seems to revolve around Sri Lankan Tamils who come in as refugees to the country. A teaser of the film that was recently released showed innocent people being rounded up by the police and subjected to third degree treatment inside what appears to be a prison. Sasikumar's character asks, "Why must we, who have committed no mistake, be kept here?." The teaser also shows Sasikumar saying,"Let us all escape from here." A police officer is seen saying, "We'll file case after case against them and bury them here." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Freedom - Official Teaser The teaser makes it clear that this is an action drama that will deal with police excesses. A character says, "Our politicians love Sri Lankan Tamils. If the crowd outside enters inside, all hell will break loose." Lijomol appears to play a Lankan Tamil in the film. She is seen confronting a police officer saying, "Sir, do you think this is paradise for you to take us from here to hell? We are already living in hell." Meanwhile, a social activist makes an effort to legally secure the freedom of the imprisoned refugees. Apart from Sasikumar and Lijomol Jose, the film, which is to hit screens on July 10, will also feature a host of actors including Malavika Avinash, Boss Venkat, Ramesh Kanna, Sudev Nair , Boys Manikandan and others. Music for the film is by Ghibran while cinematography is by N S Uthayakumar. Produced by Pandiyan Parasuraman under the banner Vijaya Ganapathy's Pictures, the film will have editing by Srikanth N B and art direction by C Uthayakumar. Three lyricists -- Snehan, Mohan Raja and Arun Bharathi -- have penned the songs for the film which will have stunts choreographed by T Ramesh, Don Ashok and Danger Mani.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin presented cash awards to Sri Lankan Tamil students for excelling in board exams
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday felicitated nine Sri Lankan Tamil students residing in rehabilitation camps, who secured high marks in SSLC, Class 11 and 12 examinations, by awarding each of them Rs 50,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. In all, during the year 2024-25, as many as 937 Sri Lankan Tamil students took the SSLC examination, while 827 took the Class 11 examination and 722 took the Class 12 examination. Many of them have gone on to secure good ranks. An official release listed out welfare measures being implemented by the state government for the Sri Lankan Tamils living in the rehabilitation camps which included the CM's announcement of constructing 10,469 new houses for them. Of these, 3,000 houses have been completed and handed over. Construction works are on for the rest of the 7,469 houses, the release stated. Apart from all state welfare schemes being extended, as many as 14,316 Lankan Tamil women are receiving Rs 1,000 per month under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimathi Thogai Thittam, it added.
