Sri Lanka Navy meanwhile vehemently denied that its personnel were involved in any attacks on a Indian fisherman off the Tamil Nadu coast.
The Official Spokesperson of India's External Affairs Ministry said they have received reports of the incident.
"We have received reports of the tragic killing of another Indian fisherman allegedly due to use of force by Sri Lankan Navy personnel. The External Affairs Minister has expressed Government's strong and unequivocal condemnation of this violent incident and conveyed his deep sympathies to the family of the deceased," the Spokesperson said.
Reports of Sri Lankan Navy attacking and killing an Indian fisherman circulated in Indian media yesterday just days after reports of a similar attack on January 12 that killed an Indian fisherman in Palk Straits when the Lankan Navy allegedly opened fire.
The issue has raised a storm in Delhi as political leaders of Tamil Nadu calling the Center to sternly warn the Sri Lankan government and protect the fishermen from the alleged attacks.
India's External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna has called the situation unacceptable and asked the Indian High Commission in Colombo to provide a report on the allegations.
The spokesperson said on receiving the news, the Indian government immediately raised the matter with the Sri Lankan Government both in New Delhi and in Colombo and requested the Sri Lankan Government to seriously investigate this incident and ensure that it does not recur.
"We have stressed that use of force must be eschewed in all such situations and have reiterated that the welfare and the safety of our fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka will continue to receive very high priority by Government," the Ministry stressed.
The Indian government stressed that "The October 2008 Understanding reached between the two governments must be scrupulously adhered to in letter and spirit." Sri Lanka Navy has repeatedly denied that its personnel had fired on Indian fishermen who venture into Sri Lankan waters.
A senior Sri Lankan Navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, has told the Indian News agency PTI that no such incident had occurred in the last few days.
"We have seen the reports in the Indian media. The navy is waiting for a report from the Sri Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai on the incident. We don't have any details like the time and place (of the incident)," he was quoted.
Sri Lanka Defence Ministry and the Navy are reportedly investigating the previous incident of firing and Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris had a closed door meeting with top officials, including foreign secretary Romesh Jayasinghe on the incident.
No comments:
Post a Comment