SL Navy opens fire on Indian fishermen

The fishermen were brought to Karaikal shores and admitted at Jipmer in Puducherry where their condition is said to be normal. Meanwhile the Fishermen Federation demanded the Indian Government to issue a strong warning to the Island Nation for which a delegation of the Federation has started to New Delhi. Sources said, a nine member crew including Dinesan alias Balamurugan (22) from Karaikal and Aravind (27) from Nagapattinam ventured into the sea on November 12 from Karaikal port in a mechanised boat. It is said, while they were fishing off coast Kodikarai in Nagapattinam on Wednesday, a Sri Lankan Navy boat reached there and opened fire suddenly in which Balamurugan and Aravind sustained bullet injuries. Their fishing equipments and boat were damaged. They were given first aid by fellow fishermen. They reached Karaikal coast on Thursday morning, and were admitted in Jipmers, Puducherry for treatment. They are said to be out of danger. Meanwhile, the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) which had participated in the bilateral talks on November 2 and 5, condemned the incident. “No constructive decision was arrived at both meetings. Our main demand before the Sri Lankan government and our counterparts was not to torture our fishermen. But just within 10 days, the Lankan Navy has opened fire. This shows that they have taken the situation for granted,” said M Ilango, Chairperson of the Forum. Ilango urged the centre to condemn the incident and issue a warning as otherwise, these incidents would continue. “We are rushing to New Delhi to visit officials and ministers to press our demand,” he added.