India strongly denounced the fire incident by the Sri Lankan Navy near Delft Island on Tuesday, which injured five Indian fishermen.
Following the early-morning event, the Sri Lankan acting high commissioner was called to New Delhi by the ministry of external affairs, which expressed disapproval of the dismissal. “The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed,” it further added.
Two of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel are presently undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital after suffering severe injuries. According to a press release from the ministry of external affairs, three additional fishermen suffered minor injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
The External Ministry of Affairs stated that they are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families” and that representatives from the Indian embassy in Jaffna also paid the injured fishermen a visit at the hospital to inquire about their comfort.
“Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government,” MEA said.
India quickly followed up on the statement, claiming that fishermen from the Indian region “attempted to assault naval personnel and made an attempt to snatch a firearm” before “accidental firing” occurred.
According to the Indian government, there is a “need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns,” restating India’s long-standing policy.
Sri Lankan Navy soldiers have even fired at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seized their boats in multiple reported instances of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters, making the fishermen’s problem a sensitive one in the two countries’ relations.
Fishermen from both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu find the Palk Strait, a narrow body of water dividing the two nations, to be a productive fishing area.
The Lankan Government claimed that the Indian fishing vessel continued to manoeuvre aggressively, without complying with the Navy’s lawful orders and its duty, during the process of taking the boat into custody, forcing the naval boarding crew to perform disobedience boarding.
