Anger in Tamil Nadu as Indian Fisherman shot dead by Lankan Navy
A 22-year-old Indian Fisherman was reportedly shot dead by Sri Lankan navy on Monday while he was fishing in a mechanised boat at a short distance off Katchatheevu islet.
The fisheries department assistant director Kulanchinathan said, The incident occurred in the evening when Bridgo, from Thangachimadam in central Rameswaram of Tamil Nadu, was fishing near the islet along with others and the Sri Lankan naval personnel arrived at the spot and opened fire. Bridgo was shot in the neck and died on the spot.
Along with Bridgo, another fisherman named Saravanan suffered injuries in his leg in the firing while others who went with them escaped unhurt and returned to the shore at 12:30 am.
Rameswaram Fisherman Association President told that over 2000 fisherman was fishing within Indian waters when the Sri Lankan Naval Personnel came to the spot taking them by surprise.
The body has been brought to the Rameswaram hospital and a case had been registered to the Jetty police station.
The Tamil Nadu government had yesterday protested the “escalation” in an apprehension of its fishermen by Sri Lanka and said the Centre did “not seem to put adequate pressure” in Colombo regarding the matter.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister K Palaniswami had referred to the arrest of 32 Indian fishermen by the Lankan authorities in the last few days and said these incidents were causing hardship and mental agony to the fishermen community.
After the incident, there is a huge anger among the people in Tamil Nadu and over thousand people have gathered at the hole of Bridgo in Rameshwaram and his family has refused to accept the body without assurance that the action will be taken.
The Government sources have said that India has taken up the fisherman’s killing matter with Sri Lanka and the Lankan Navy has assured a full and thorough investigation into the matter.