Acting Lankan HC in New Delhi summoned over disputed shooting in Norther sea

India lodged a strong protest over a shooting incident by the Sri Lankan Navy during the arrest of Indian fishermen this morning by summoning the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said. 

The shooting incident was reported during the arrest 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island were reported in the early hours of this morning. 

Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same, the High Commission said in a statement. 

Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families.

 “ Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government,” the statement said. 

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

Meanwhile, the Navy said it was compelled to conduct noncompliance boarding as the Indian fishing boat continued to maneuver aggressively, without complying with the Navy’s lawful orders and its duty, during the process of taking the boat into custody. 

“ 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, in accordance with the authority vested in the Navy, 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, endangering the lives of the naval personnel,” the Navy said in a statement. 

In the process, according to the Navy,  an accidental fire has taken place, causing slight injuries to two Indian fishermen.