One cannot say with confidence that the fishermen who venture into sea from Tamil Nadu for fishing will return safely to shore.  While the local authorities indicate efforts to protect fishermen from being attacked and killed by Sri Lankan naval forces,  yet, it happens so often that many families have lost their breadwinners resulting in painful sorrow in the entire coast from Cuddalore to Kanyakumari.  This has been going on for several years and their agony continues to exist.
 
Those who lost their kith and kin in Sri Lankan navy shoot-out on sea could not come out of trauma and shock, still wandering like refugees in homeland.  State government did not take concrete steps to safeguard the interest of fisher-folk who contribute more to the State economy.  Even in many coastal hamlets, village headman was not spared by sea killers.  It is pointed out that killer fishes are better than sea killers belonging to Sri Lankan navy.  Sri Lankan navy issued statements that Tamil Nadu fishermen cross the international waters and enter into Sri Lankan sea zone.  Thus making mockery under the guise of protecting Sri Lankan coast, they used to pursue the same practice of brutal attacking.

Recently fishermen from Vedaranyam coast suffered severe injuries at the hand of barbaric Sri Lankan navy and lost one of their companions who was made naked and killed.  This act shows Sri Lankan navy is determined to kill Tamil Nadu fishermen under instructions from their higher authority.  Is it Sri Lankan coast guard or Sri Lankan beast guard?  Though UN authorities made attempt appealing to Sri Lankan government to stop that the water hostilities against Tamil Nadu fishermen, it is shameful to say that Sri Lankan government had not yielded to UN request but turned down.

The fishermen associations across Tamil Nadu held many rallies, protests and demonstrations against the Sri Lanka navy atrocities, appealed to State government for help.  No sign of help sparked from government side in favor of fisher folk.  During the last 28 years from 1982 to 2010, Tamil Nadu lost its poor fishermen totally 1,200 in attacks launched by Sri Lankan naval forces for about 600 times.  It is ironical to assume that Indian coast guard would protect the Tamil Nadu fishermen as they always keep a watch over the sea.

Tamil Nadu fishermen are neither strangers nor foreigners; they are Indian citizens, toiling their profession with legitimate rights and contribute for massive growth of export in fishing industry.  Unfortunately it is evident that the nature of fishermen profession is forgotten by Indian rulers.  Whether it is land or sea, Tamils are bound to be killed by Sri Lankan navy or army.  How could the Tamils tolerate such atrocities?  Both State and Central government should come forward to handle the situation on war footing.  The people of Tamil Nadu still repose faith with our Prime Minister and Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, and hope that they would use their good office, initiate efforts to protect fishermen community.  We do hope the same in high spirits.  If not, otherwise they may become “endangered species” bound for extinction.

It is the duty of a nation’s head to protect the citizens of motherland perhaps a connotation usually comes across.  It is quiet practical that Tamil Nadu fishermen meet encounters not only from sea-led tsunami and also from navy-led tsunami on the sea.

Sri Lanka navy personnel suddenly turned pirates and stole away the entire catch of fish and other valuables from Tamil Nadu boats on high sea.  According to Mr. D. Jayakumar, former Minister of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu, there had been few reports about the attack and torture on Tamil Nadu fishermen during 1991-1996 and 2001-2006.  This is a classic example, how the entire Tamil Nadu coast was peaceful barring few incidents.  It was due to effective leadership ushered by Dr. J. Jayalalithaa the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, popularly known as Amma.  She took drastic steps on war footing whenever reports of attack by Sri Lankan navy sprung up.  Sri Lankan navy was warned several times by Indian authorities following her sincere efforts which brought officials from Delhi, air dashed to Tamil Nadu and held discussions with Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka officials.  During her regime Sri Lankan navy never dared to play with the lives of Tamil Nadu fishermen. 

After 2006, it became worst and the present government shows lethargic attitude towards Tamil Nadu fishermen issues.  As it is evident, fishermen community is spending sleepless nights in their huts, along the Tamil Nadu coast, Tamil Nadu fishermen express their hope that AIADMK would come back to power and save their lives.  It is apparent that they endorse her with pride as Amma is the savior of fishermen community.

Intervention from Delhi is not conducive to heal the woes and pains of fisher folk.  Though they are compensated to some extent, their human loss cannot be compensated as it is irreparable.

Now they are subjected to agony, darkness, grief and languishing without any support and solace.  Their homes became haunted with no trace of breadwinners; future remains obscure and no help in distress is found, thus emotional questions arise.  The huts of fishermen scattered over Tamil Nadu coast would reminisce the memories and certainly remind the death trap anchored by sea enemies.  The plight of Tamil Nadu fisherfolk is yet to catch the attention of international community.  This is right time for government to act swiftly in order to save fisherman community from imminent dangers posed by Sri Lankan navy.

The entire seabed once shouldered the pains and pleasure felt, enjoyed by fisher folk that used the treasures of ocean for their livelihood finds no consoling words of warmth and kindness be showered on fishermen fraternity.