Near Delft Island on Tuesday, five Indian fishermen were injured after the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire on them. The five fishermen, reportedly hailing from Karaikal in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, had allegedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing in territorial waters off Sri Lanka. The response came fast and furious from New Delhi: a strong protest to the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner.
India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the use of force in the matter, terming it "unacceptable under any circumstances whatsoever." The MEA said, “Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government.”
The Indian Consulate at Jaffna has reached out to assist the injured fishermen and their families. The consulate officials went to Jaffna Teaching Hospital to see the injured fisherfolk, including two men whose injuries are quite serious and have been admitted to hospital.
Three other men who received minor injuries were treated and sent back home.
What happened to the arrested fishers?
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy alleged that the Sri Lankan Navy had detained six fishermen from Karaikal and seven from Tamil Nadu and impounded their mechanized fishing vessel. The Chief Minister sent a letter to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and urged him to ensure immediate diplomatic efforts to bring out the detained fishers.
India pointed out its longstanding position on fishermen-related disputes, emphasizing the need for human treatment. “The Government of India has always emphasized the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns,” the MEA added.
Further, the Ministry reminded Sri Lanka of the importance it places on remaining within the present bilateral understandings which are in relation to fishermen and other issues and not to increase the number which may cause increased friction between the two nations involved.
According to reports, the fishermen's group had crossed into Sri Lankan waters near Delft Island. Although the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) is technically a maritime boundary, the constant crossing by fishermen, often for lack of knowledge or due to livelihood compulsions, is a contentious issue between the two countries.
India is pressing for the release of the detained fishermen and has sought a resolution through diplomatic channels.