The injured fisherman is from Rameswaram of Tamil Nadu. (Figurative)
Chennai:
A group of Indian fishermen were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan Navy personnel last night for allegedly invading the territorial waters of the island nation. One of the fishermen was injured.
The fishermen have denied having entered Lankan waters without authorization. Stones were apparently thrown and nets were broken.
Authorities said there is no formal complaint yet and that they are investigating the incident. “All the fishermen have returned to shore. None have filed a complaint,” a senior official told NDTV.
The injured fisherman is from Rameswaram of Tamil Nadu.
Historically, Indian and Lankan fishermen have been fishing across borders. However, as the international boundary line was fixed, Sri Lanka began to stop the entry of Indian fishermen, particularly after the defeat of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Previously, India’s donation of Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka also reduced the fishing space for Indian fishermen. With around 600 Indian fishermen killed by the Lankan navy by trespassing, former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had proposed a lease agreement with Sri Lanka so that Tamil Nadu fishermen could legally fish in Lankan waters as there are very little catch in Indian waters. Successive governments in the state and the center have also failed to develop a sustainable alternative livelihood opportunity for the two lakh people who depend on fishing.
Over the years, Sri Lanka has also leaned more towards China, which has made huge investments in the country, making it an even more diplomatic challenge for the Indian government, pushing concerns over livelihoods and the traditional rights of Indian fishermen to the background. burner.
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