Chennai: Amid huge anger in Tamil Nadu over the killing of a 22-year-old fisherman by the Sri Lankan navy, the government said today that Colombo has promised "full and thorough investigation". India raised the killing with Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and expressed its deep concern as more than a thousand people gathered at the home of the fisherman, Bridgo, in Rameswaram to protest, and his family refused to accept his body.
Sri Lanka, however, denied shooting at the fishermen in a statement and called it an "unsubstantiated allegation". Asserting that its personnel are not authorized to open fire in such situations, the Lankan Navy said, "Since there is an allegation of a shooting incident, Sri Lanka Navy is carrying out a comprehensive investigation to find out the veracity of this alleged incident."
Bridgo was fishing close to the Katchatheevu islet last evening when Lankan naval personnel opened fire. He was shot in the neck and died instantly. Another fisherman, Sharon, was shot in his leg.
The Lankan personnel did not fire a warning shot before shooting at the fishermen, alleges P Sesuraja, who heads a fishermen's body. Around 2,000 fishermen were taken by surprise when they were fired at, he added.
Tamil Nadu had yesterday protested against fishermen being caught by Sri Lanka and alleged in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the centre "did not seem to put adequate pressure" on Colombo.
Chief Minister E Palaniswami, referring to the arrest of 32 Indian fishermen by Lanka in recent days, said the fishermen's community was suffering "hardship and mental agony".
Tamil Nadu says 85 fishermen and 128 fishing boats are currently in Lankan custody and has urged the centre to take action through diplomatic channels.
The opposition DMK's MK Stalin said, "India should warn Sri Lanka diplomatically that this can't be tolerated and there will be strong repercussions."
Tamil Nadu claims Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have traditional rights to fish in both territories. The state is also working legally and politically to retrieve the Katchatheevu islet India had gifted Lanka in the early seventies, so that Indian fishermen would get more space to fish.
Sri Lanka, however, denied shooting at the fishermen in a statement and called it an "unsubstantiated allegation". Asserting that its personnel are not authorized to open fire in such situations, the Lankan Navy said, "Since there is an allegation of a shooting incident, Sri Lanka Navy is carrying out a comprehensive investigation to find out the veracity of this alleged incident."
The Lankan personnel did not fire a warning shot before shooting at the fishermen, alleges P Sesuraja, who heads a fishermen's body. Around 2,000 fishermen were taken by surprise when they were fired at, he added.
Advertisement
Chief Minister E Palaniswami, referring to the arrest of 32 Indian fishermen by Lanka in recent days, said the fishermen's community was suffering "hardship and mental agony".
Tamil Nadu says 85 fishermen and 128 fishing boats are currently in Lankan custody and has urged the centre to take action through diplomatic channels.
Advertisement
Tamil Nadu claims Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have traditional rights to fish in both territories. The state is also working legally and politically to retrieve the Katchatheevu islet India had gifted Lanka in the early seventies, so that Indian fishermen would get more space to fish.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Madras High Court's Big Rebuke To Probe Agency In Illegal Sand Mining Row India Squad Selection vs Sri Lanka: Team Selection Meeting Rescheduled For This Day, Says Report Details Of India Coach Gautam Gambhir's 1st Meeting With BCCI Selectors: "Robust Exchange Of..." Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming Major Crackdown Launched On Terror Network In J&K After Doda Encounter UK's New Government Vows To Remove 92 Unelected Peers From Upper House EU's Carbon Tax Could Cost India 0.05% Of GDP: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.