New Delhi: India summoned the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner today to lodge a strong protest over firing by the Sri Lankan Navy while apprehending Indian fishermen in which two Indian fishermen were injured.
Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
“Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families.
“The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government.
Also Read |
Sri Lanka detains 7 Indian fishermen
“Government of India has always emphasized the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed,” the statement said.
The Sri Lankan Navy
The Sri Lankan Navy in a statement said the incident occurred near Jaffna when the Northern Naval Command observed a cluster of Indian fishing boats poaching in the Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of Monday (27).
“Subsequently, the Northern Naval Command mounted a special operation to send away those fishing boats from the island waters, deploying naval craft,” it said in its website.
“During this operation, the Navy seized an Indian fishing boat that continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters, while marshalling illegal fishing activities and collecting the fishing harvest. The operation also led to the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen aboard the fishing boat.”
The Navy said their boarding team was compelled to conduct “noncompliance boarding” as the Indian fishing boat continued to manoeuver aggressively, without complying with the Navy’s orders, during the process of taking the boat into custody.
Also Read |
Tamil Nadu: Three Rameswaram fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy
“On this occasion, the Indian fishermen have acted aggressively, maneuvering their fishing boat in a hostile manner and behaving confrontationally with the Navy.”
“However, while boarding the fishing boat, in accordance with the authority vested in the Navy, the Indian fishermen, as an organized group, have attempted to assault naval personnel and made an attempt to snatch a firearm from a naval officer, endangering the lives of the naval personnel. In the process, an accidental fire has taken place, causing slight injuries to two Indian fishermen,” it said.
“Following the incident, the Navy provided initial first aid to the two injured fishermen and promptly transferred them to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for further treatment. The hospital has confirmed that their condition is stable. Meanwhile, the Navy has lodged a complaint with the Kankesanthurai Police regarding the incident,” the navy website added.
