India ‘Deeply Concerned’ After Sri Lankan Navy Kills Fisherman

The Lankan navy officials allegedly did not even fire a warning shot.

An Indian fisherman rows his boat. (Photo: Reuters)

A 22-year-old Indian fisherman was shot dead early on Tuesday early morning allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy while he was fishing in a mechanised boat at a short distance off Katchatheevu islet in the Indian Ocean, fisheries department officials said.

The matter has been taken up at high levels with Sri Lankan government through Indian High Commission in Colombo, Gopal Baglay, MEA spokesperson said.

"Safety and security of all Indian fishermen is of serious concern. The matter was raised with Sri Lankan Government and they assured us of a thorough probe," he added.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter. The AIADMK MP, along with the party's floor leader in Lok Sabha P Venugopal, submitted a letter to the PMO.

“Attacks on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy are going unabated and have increased in the recent past. Though a consensus was reached during the ‘peace talks’, the norms are not being adhered to,” Thambidurai said in his letter.

"We request the Prime Minister to look into the issue and take necessary action to stop the atrocities against Tamil fishermen in territorial waters," he said.

The Tamil Nadu government announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for another fisherman who received injuries on his leg in the firing.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu has taken up the matter with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. The Sri Lankan navy has also promised an investigation into the killing, said NDTV, quoting government sources.

Bridgo was shot in the neck and died on the spot, Fisheries Department Assistant Director Kulanchinathan said.

Rameswaram Fishermen Association President P Sesuraja told PTI that more than 2,000 fishermen were fishing well within Indian waters when the Sri Lankan naval personnel came to the spot taking them by surprise. The Lankan navy officials did not even fire a warning shot, he alleged.

Urging the Centre to act strongly after the killing of the fisherman, DMK’s working president MK Stalin said that it is “high time” for the government to “react strongly to this problem” and that it can’t remain “a mute spectator”.

Meanwhile, protests broke out in Rameswaram against the Sri Lankan Navy.

Protesting members of Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi climb a tower in Rameswaram. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)