India claims Sri Lanka Navy crews fired shots at fishing boat, injuring five
The Indian government, through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has lodged a formal protest saying that personnel on a Sri Lanka Navy vessel opened fire on an Indian fishing boat, resulting in injuries to five crewmembers on the latter vessel, in an incident on Tuesday, January 28.
The incident occurred after a Sri Lanka Navy patrol craft was despatched to an area off the coast of Valvettithurai on the Jaffna Peninsula in response to reports of Indian fishing boats operating in those same waters.
The MEA claimed that the Sri Lanka Navy crews opened fire on one of the Indian boats during the interception, and that two fishermen on the targeted vessel suffered "serious injuries" while another three suffered "minor injuries."
The MEA criticised the Sri Lankans' use of force during the incident. However, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement that the Indian fishermen had "acted aggressively, manoeuvering their boat in a hostile manner and behaving confrontationally."
The navy added that, as their personnel later boarded the fishing boat, the Indian fishermen attempted to assault the navy personnel and made an attempt to grab a firearm from a navy sailor, "endangering the lives of the naval personnel."
The navy said that, in the process, the firearm was accidentally discharged and caused "slight injuries" to two of the fishermen.
Following the incident, the navy rendered first aid to the two injured fishermen and promptly transferred them to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for further treatment. The hospital has confirmed that the fishermen's condition is stable.
The navy has also lodged a separate complaint regarding the incident.
The seized Indian fishing boat and the remaining fishermen have been brought to Kankasanthurai Harbour. They will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further legal action.
The incident between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Indian fishermen occurred in Palk Strait, which falls within the exclusive economic zone claimed by Sri Lanka.
The navy said it has frequently intercepted and detained Indian fishermen after they were found to be poaching in the area.
