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Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution to Retrieve Katchatheevu
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central Government to take immediate steps to retrieve Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka. The resolution comes in the wake of continued arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, an issue that has long plagued the state’s coastal communities.
Background on Katchatheevu
Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. It was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974 as part of an agreement between the two countries. However, for decades, fishermen from Tamil Nadu have considered the waters surrounding the island as part of their traditional fishing areas. The handover has since resulted in frequent arrests, boat seizures, and rising tensions between Indian fishermen and Sri Lankan maritime forces.
Resolution Details
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stated that retrieving Katchatheevu is the only permanent solution to end the harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen and safeguard their livelihoods. It called on the Union Government to revisit the 1974 and 1976 agreements with Sri Lanka and launch diplomatic efforts to reclaim the island.
The resolution also urged the Prime Minister to use his forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka as an opportunity to address the matter and to ensure the immediate release of Indian fishermen and their boats detained by Sri Lankan authorities.
Unanimous Political Support
The resolution received support from across the political spectrum, including the AIADMK and BJP, reflecting a rare moment of political unity on an issue deeply tied to Tamil Nadu’s regional identity and economic interests. Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that previous governments, including those led by M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, had consistently opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu and passed similar resolutions demanding its retrieval.
Fishermen in Crisis
The resolution noted that over 500 fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024 alone, with an average of two detentions per day. As of March 27, 2025, 97 Indian fishermen remain in Sri Lankan custody. The rising number of incidents has caused significant anxiety among coastal communities and renewed demands for long-term resolution.
Call for Central Intervention
The Assembly’s action underscores the urgency of the issue and calls for decisive intervention by the Central Government. The resolution not only seeks to reclaim Indian sovereignty over Katchatheevu but also aims to restore security and dignity to Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities.
With mounting pressure from the state, all eyes are now on the Centre’s response and whether diplomatic channels will be activated to address one of the most persistent maritime disputes in South Asia.
