Fishermen plea to carry firearms dismissed

3 November 2012 08:48 am Views - 2670

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court dismissed five writ petitions, seeking various reliefs, including giving direction to the authorities to provide licences to the fishermen in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu to carry firearms with them while fishing in the sea between India and Sri Lanka in order to exercise their private defence.

The petitioners had sought the issuance of licences immediately to the fishermen to carry firearms with them while fishing in the sea between India and Sri Lanka in order to exercise their private defence available under IPC; to determine the coastal zone between two nations with buoys considering Katchatheevu as a natural territory and historic water of India as per the Territorial Water, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 in accordance with Sri Lanka agreements; to provide protection to the Tamil Nadu fishermen from the Sri Lankan Navy vessels, to provide naval ships, all along the Indo-Sri Lanka oceanic borders and to provide air force cover to the fishermen, to provide coast guard personnel on vessels, yachts, steamers and boats to accompany the fishermen.

The petitions were heard by the division bench and orders kept reserved.

The division bench comprising Justices Vinod K Sharma and A Selvam passed the common orders on all petitions.(TNN)