Sri Lankan Navy Fires on Indian Fishermen, India Protests

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. The Sri Lankan Navy fired on Indian fishermen near Delft Island.
2. Five Indian fishermen were injured, two critically.
3. India summoned Sri Lanka’s acting High Commissioner to lodge a protest.
4. The Indian MEA termed the incident ‘unacceptable’.
5. The Sri Lankan Navy claimed the firing was accidental.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Details of the Incident

Early Tuesday morning, the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire on 13 Indian fishermen near Delft Island during an apprehension attempt. Five fishermen sustained injuries, with two in critical condition. The injured were admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment.

India’s Strong Response

India swiftly responded by summoning Sri Lanka’s acting High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA termed the incident ‘unacceptable’ and emphasized that fishermen-related issues should be handled humanely.

Sri Lankan Navy’s Claim

The Sri Lankan Navy claimed that Indian fishermen, acting as an organized group, attempted to assault naval personnel and snatch a firearm. They stated that the firing was accidental and resulted in minor injuries to two fishermen.

Previous Incidents

Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested eight Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. The arrests occurred during a special operation north of Mannar on January 11.

India’s Demand

India clarified that the use of force against fishermen is unacceptable under any circumstances. Both countries must strictly adhere to existing agreements to avoid such incidents.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

1. The Sri Lankan Navy fired on Indian fishermen near Delft Island.
2. Five fishermen were injured, two critically.
3. India summoned Sri Lanka’s envoy to lodge a formal protest.
4. The Sri Lankan Navy termed the firing accidental.
5. India demanded humane treatment of fishermen and adherence to agreements.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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