TN: political row over fisherman's death

Nagapattinam: It has been nearly a week since Murugeswari's husband Jayakumar was killed allegedly by the SL navy in the waters between India and Sri Lanka. The political visitors continue pouring in to convey their condolences starting with local leaders to now even a personal visit by AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. In the midst of her grief, Murugeswari's husband's death is now a political issue ahead of the assembly elections.

Jayakumar's wife Murugeswari said, "Whatever money they give as compensation, will that bring back a life? We only want the killers to be punished. We have no security."

Jayakumar is the latest victim in a long list of over 300 fishermen from India who have lost their lives in the same waters over the last three decades. Lured by the catch of fish, they often enter Sri Lankan waters. Their point of contention is the Katchatheevu island which was ceded by India to Sri Lanka in 1974. And they say they will continue to risk their lives because that's the only way they can earn their fish.

Sri Lanka which had often cracked down on Indian fishermen during its war with the LTTE has now denied any involvement in the latest incidents. But despite those denials, in Tamil Nadu the fishermen's plight is now a powerful political issue. The AIADMK has been traditionally strong in the fishing community and has now built political momentum in the issue alleging that the state and the center have done little.

AIDMK Chief and leader of Opposition J Jayalalithaa said, "The present CM of Tamil Nadu is only interested in making money. He could not care less about what happens to our fishermen. The central government is a weak government. The PM is an ineffectual PM."

But the DMK and the Centre insist that the issue has been taken up very strongly with Colombo. In the fishing town of Nagapattinam where fishermen have gone on a strike to protest the killing, the only question that remains is will this loud political exchange change their plight.

The fishermen's issue has been going on for several years now. But with the assembly elections coming up in Tamil Nadu, the opposition, the AIADMK has upped the ante by blaming not only the state but also the Central government for not doing enough for the fishing community.

And what remains to be seen now is whether this issue will snowball into a political controversy and become an electoral issue in the upcoming assembly elections.

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