Five fishermen from India got injured following a firing incident from the Sri Lankan Navy near Delft Island on Tuesday. Indian fishermen were holding Sri Lankan fishing grounds while the local Navy conducted their capture. The two critically injured fishermen among five are being treated in the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, minor injuries affected the three other fishermen.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a summon to Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi sharing objection over the incident. The statement stressed both nations should handle fishing disputes in ways that match the diplomatic understanding between India and Sri Lanka while respecting existing bilateral agreements.
Sri Lankans share different reason for attack
The Sri Lankan Navy shared contrasting information regarding the
incident. They stated the accidental gunfire took place because Indian fishermen shot at their naval personnel during a reported attempt to attack them and steal a weapon therefore endangering naval personnel.
Frequent fishing activities across international maritime boundaries are a long-term dispute that Indian fishermen have repeatedly conducted. The repeated crossings led to multiple arrests and multiple diplomatic actions over previous periods. The recent incident in Sri Lankan waters has prompted Puducherry’s Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to demand quick action from the Indian government for the release of detained fishermen.
