The Indian government summoned Sri Lanka’s representative and lodged a “strong protest,” after one Tamil Nadu fisherman was killed and another remains missing, following a confrontation with the Sri Lankan navy last week.
File photograph. Eelam Tamil fishermen protesting in 2021.
The Indian government summoned Sri Lanka’s representative and lodged a “strong protest,” after one Tamil Nadu fisherman was killed and another remains missing, following a confrontation with the Sri Lankan navy last week.
According to the Deccan Herald, 59-year-old K Malaichamy, R Muthu Muniyandi (57), M Mookaiah (54), and V Ramachandran (64) were fishing in Neduntheevu (Deft Island) when the Sri Lankan navy began to chase their vessel. A collision between the two occurred, with Malaichamy killed. Ramachandran continues to be missing, whilst the other two fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna for further hospital treatment.
The body of Malaichamy was handed over to the Indian navy mid-sea on Saturday.
"The government of India has always emphasised the need to deal with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner," India's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Last month, the Sri Lanka Navy confirmed that a sailor had “succumbed to his injuries,” after the security forces launched an operation that ended with the arrest of 10 Indian fishermen and the seizure of a trawler in Jaffna. Official reports from the navy state that the 10 fishermen were apprehended in Kankesanthurai in Jaffna. The navy went on to confirm that “a sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries,” claiming that it was “due to the aggressive maneuvers of an Indian trawler, resisting its seizure (sic)”. Sri Lanka detained those 10 Indian fishermen for causing the death of the sailor.
The Sri Lankan navy has for years clashed with Tamil Nadu fishermen, resulting in hundreds of arrests and dozens of deaths.
In another incident, Nagapatanam fishermen in Tamil Nadu rescued a fisherman from Trincomalee, who was found to have been stranded at sea for over 10 days. Ahmed Iran and Astin were stranded on the high seas when their boat experienced an engine failure. They had reportedly waited for help however they had passed out since they had not had any meals for 10 days. On the 10th day, Astin had reportedly taken the petrol can from the boat and had told Iran that he would go and find help. It was during this time that Nagapatanam fishermen who had been returning to shore found this boat adrift and rescued Iran. The Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai has been alerted and efforts are underway to ensure that the fisherman receives medical treatment. Meanwhile, Indian fishermen are engaged in search operations for Astin who is still reported as missing.
The Indian-Sri Lankan fishermen row was also taken up at the Indian parliament this week. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha said four Indian fishermen are serving sentences and 169 Indian fishing vessels have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan authorities. He was asked whether the government has taken any action concerning the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's "letter dated July 11, 2024, requesting the release of 80 fishermen and 173 fishing boats detained by Sri Lankan Navy" and details thereof.
"As per the available information, Indian fishermen are apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. Currently, there are 83 Indian fishermen in the judicial custody of Sri Lanka," the minister had said in response. Immediately after the reports of apprehension are received, "our High Commission through diplomatic channels" takes up the matter with the government of Sri Lanka, he added.
