India has strongly condemned the firing incident involving the Sri Lankan Navy that left five Indian fishermen injured, with two sustaining serious injuries. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on Tuesday, lodging a formal protest over the incident.
The incident took place early on Tuesday morning near Delft Island, a disputed area between India and Sri Lanka, when the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire while apprehending 13 Indian fishermen. According to the MEA statement, two of the fishermen were seriously injured and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three others sustained minor injuries and have been treated locally.
“The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances,” the Indian government emphasized, stressing the need for humane treatment of fishermen. The MEA called for strict adherence to existing agreements between the two governments, which have repeatedly stressed the importance of resolving such issues through diplomatic means, with a focus on livelihood concerns for the fishermen.
Indian consular officials in Jaffna visited the injured fishermen, providing assistance to them and their families. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy, particularly regarding fishing rights in the Palk Strait, an area fraught with disputes between the two nations.
This is not the first such incident. In recent months, India has had to intervene diplomatically in multiple cases involving the detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. In the most recent case, 41 Indian fishermen detained earlier in 2024 were repatriated to Chennai after diplomatic efforts from the Indian government, with support from the Tamil Nadu government.
Earlier this year, 15 Indian fishermen who had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in separate incidents were freed and returned to Chennai, highlighting the frequent and recurring nature of these incidents.
The Indian government has reiterated that such acts of aggression towards its fishermen cannot be tolerated, urging both sides to continue diplomatic discussions to avoid further escalation and ensure the safety and security of fishermen operating in the region.
The incident near Delft Island has intensified calls for a resolution of the fishing rights issue, which remains a sensitive point in the relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
Sources By Agencies
