Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters, remanded

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.

The Navy arrested the Indian fishermen for poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Valvettithurai, Jaffna.

The ongoing issue of illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters has once again come to the forefront, following a recent incident in which the Sri Lanka Navy opened fire when apprehending Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has lodged a strong protest following the incident.

The Sri Lanka Navy said the Northern Naval Command observed a cluster of Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Valvettithurai, Jaffna in the dark hours of Monday. During this operation, the Navy seized an Indian fishing boat that continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters, while marshalling illegal fishing activities. The operation also led to the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen aboard the fishing boat.

On this occasion, the Indian fishermen have acted aggressively, maneuvering their fishing boat in a hostile manner and behaving confrontationally with the Navy. However, while boarding the fishing boat, 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. In the process, an accidental fire has taken place, causing minor injuries to two Indian fishermen.

Police said that an officer from the Northern Naval Command lodged a complaint with the KKS Police Station, stating that a group of Indian fishermen were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, violating sea boundaries.

According to the complaint, while attempting to apprehend the fishermen, an altercation occurred between an Indian fisherman and a Navy officer. During the confrontation, the officer’s duty firearm was inadvertently discharged, resulting in gunshot injuries to two fishermen, who were shot in the legs.

In response to the incident, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called to the Ministry this morning to address the matter. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has also raised the issue with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Government of India has always emphasized the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind the livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed," the Ministry said in its statement.

Indian Consulate officials in Jaffna visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to ensure their well-being and are providing assistance to the fishermen and their families.

Sri Lanka Navy said they conduct continuous operations aimed at securing the northern waters and protecting the livelihoods of the fishing community in the Northern Province.