Representational imageRameswaram: A 22-year-old Indian fisherman was shot dead Monday allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy while he was fishing in a mechanized boat at a short distance off Katchatheevu islet, fisheries department officials said.
The incident occurred Monday 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, fisheries department assistant director Kulanchinathan said.
Bridgo was shot in the neck and died on the spot, he said. Another fisherman, Saravanan, 22, suffered injuries to his leg in the firing while others who went along with them escaped unhurt and returned to the shore at 12.30 am.
The Sri Lankan government ordered a probe, after India raised the issue with prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Sri Lankan navy, however, denied the allegation, saying it does not open fire at poaching fishermen and only arrests them.
Rameswaram Fishermen Association president P. Sesuraja told PTI that more than 2,000 fishermen were fishing well within Indian waters when the Sri Lankan naval personnel came to the spot taking them by surprise.
The Lankan navy officials did not even fire a warning shot, he alleged.
Kulanchinathan said the body has been brought to the Rameswaram hospital and a case has been registered at the Jetty police station.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the area as fishermen from Thangachimadam coastal hamlet gathered in front of the hospital to protest the firing by the Sri Lankan navy.
The Tamil Nadu government had Sunday protested the "escalation" in apprehension of its fishermen by Sri Lanka and said the Center did "not seem to put adequate pressure" on 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.
Noting that currently there were 85 fishermen and 128 fishing boats in Lankan custody, he had urged Modi to direct the External Affairs Ministry officials concerned to take concrete action through diplomatic channels to secure their release.
