10 Indian Fishermen Arrested By Sri Lanka To Be Charged With Death Of Senior Navy Sailor

10 indian fishermen arrested by sri lanka to be charged with death of senior navy sailor

Colombo: Ten Indian fishermen were arrested on Monday for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters. The fishermen will be charged with the death of a Navy sailor, who was killed in the operation to seize their trawler, authorities said.

According to a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Navy, a senior sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries after the Indian trawler tried to resist seizure aggressively.

The senior sailor succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna, it added.

10 Indian fishermen were arrested and their trawler was seized on Monday, the Navy said.

Subsequently, the fishermen were handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector after the trawler was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour.

A 'B' report had been filed by the Kankesanthurai Police in the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking the prosecution of the Indian fishermen, PTI reported.

Charges Against The Indian Fishermen

The charges faced by the fishermen include: illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a naval person during the operation, and causing damage to naval property, as per the statement.

A post-mortem examination of the deceased sailor was conducted by the Jaffna Magistrate.

The examination concluded hat the sailor's death was an accident caused by spinal cord damage, the Navy said.

The Fishermen Issue Between India And Sri Lanka

The issue of fishermen is a contentious one between India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Navy personnel have previously fired at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seized their boats on numerous occasions on the grounds of illegally entering the country's waters.

The Palk Strait is rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. It is a strip of water that separates Sri Lanka and India's Tamil Nadu. Both countries have arrested fishermen after they entered into each other's waters unintentionally, as per PTI.

More than 200 Indian fishermen have been arrested and 27 trawlers have been seized over illegal fishing in the country's waters this year, the Sri Lankan Navy said.

In 2023, 240 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Navy and 35 trawlers were seized for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

(With Inputs From PTI)