INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Thirteen Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday (28) for illegally entering Sri Lankan waters off
Kankesanthurai, were remanded until February 10 by the Mallakam Magistrate today.Two fishermen from the group, who were reportedly injured,
are currently hospitalized.Meanwhile, India, on Tuesday, lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka over an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan
Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island in the early hours of last morning (28).The Indian
Ministry of External Affairs said.In the incident, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two 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
fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns
The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever
has issued a statement regarding the incident in question stating that the Northern Naval Command observed a cluster of Indian fishing boats
the Navy seized an Indian fishing boat continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters, while marshalling illegal fishing activities and collecting
The operation also led to the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen aboard the fishing boat.The Sri Lanka Navy said its boarding team was
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
incident, the Navy provided initial first aid to the two injured fishermen and promptly transferred them to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for
the incident.The seized Indian fishing boat and remaining fishermen have been brought to the Kankasanthurai harbour last morning and they
were handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action, the statement said.
