Sri Lankan Navy fires at Indian fishermen near Delft Island, 5 injured; India protests strongly

Five Indian fishermen were injured, including two seriously, after the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire on their fishing vessel near Delft Island on Tuesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest over the incident, stating that the use of force was "unacceptable under any circumstances."

The incident took place early in the morning when 13 Indian fishermen were aboard the vessel. Two fishermen, from Karaikal (Puducherry) and Tamil Nadu, sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Three others were reported to have sustained minor injuries and have been treated. The remaining fishermen were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Sri Lankan Navy claimed that the incident occurred after the Indian fishermen allegedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and were fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters near Delft Island. The Navy stated that its personnel attempted to apprehend the fishermen when the fishing boat "maneuvered aggressively," ignoring lawful orders. According to the Sri Lankan authorities, the fishermen attempted to assault naval personnel and made an effort to snatch a firearm, leading to an accidental discharge of weaponry that caused injuries to two fishermen.

The Sri Lankan Navy further explained that the firing occurred during a non-compliance boarding operation, after the Indian fishermen did not comply with the Navy's instructions. The Sri Lankan authorities have filed a complaint with the Kankesanthurai Police regarding the incident.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that such incidents must be handled in a "humane and humanitarian manner," given the livelihood concerns of fishermen. India reaffirmed that the use of force should not occur under any circumstances and that existing understandings between the two governments, particularly regarding fishermen, must be strictly adhered to.

Indian consular officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to ensure their welfare and provide all necessary assistance to the fishermen and their families. Additionally, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has raised the matter with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging prompt action to resolve the issue.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, a disputed area between India and Sri Lanka. The Palk Strait has been a flashpoint for several years, with numerous incidents of Indian fishermen being detained, their boats seized, and allegations of trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. The Indian government has intervened on multiple occasions, working with both the central government and Tamil Nadu authorities to secure the release of detained fishermen and address issues related to fishing rights. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen who had been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to India following diplomatic interventions.