Indian Fisherman Death: One fisherman died and another went missing following a collision between an Indian fishing boat and a Sri Lankan naval vessel five nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. New Delhi expressed "shock and anguish" over the "unfortunate" Indian casualty.
In the wake of the incident, Sri Lanka's acting high commissioner to India was summoned by New Delhi on Thursday morning and a strong protest was lodged with the envoy. "A collision was reported early this morning between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island," the MEA stated.
"Out of the four Indian fishermen who were on board the vessel, one unfortunately lost his life and another is missing," it said in a release. The two remaining fishermen have been rescued and brought ashore to Kankesanthurai, the MEA informed.
"A search is ongoing for the missing Indian fisherman. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have been instructed to immediately rush to Kankesanthurai and extend all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," it said. "We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also be raising the matter with the Sri Lankan government later today," the MEA said.
Earlier this month, on July 23, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended nine fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram, as per the Rameswaram Fishermen Association. Just days prior to that, on July 19, fishermen in Rameswaram had held a massive protest against the frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy, demanding the immediate release of 74 Indian fishermen arrested so far this year.
(With inputs from agencies)