ICG firing unacceptable, says Jayakumar

“It is unacceptable and it could have been averted. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamihad already taken up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking action,” Jayakumar said.

On continuing attacks on fishermen, Jayakumar maintained that it had already been agreed that the fishermen who had inadvertently crossed the ‘imaginary’ International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) should be handed over to India without disturbing their gear and catch. “This had been reiterated in the series of tri-partite talks including the recent one which took place in Delhi. We would continue to impress upon the Centre to get our fishermen back and the confiscated boats released from Sri Lanka,” he said.