New Delhi: Only yesterday Sri Lankan Navy had arrested 112 Indian fishermen on the Southern Sea of India around Mannar, and today the Navy gave a further challenge and tried the patience of Indian national Defence forces, by 24 more fishermen, thus arresting 136 in all, for fishing in international sea waters.
This tradition has continued since long years and Sri Lankan President only last week had promised the Indian Secretary for foreign affairs, Nirupama Rao that such incidents would not be repeated, while killing a few Indian fishermen from Tamilnadu. Seven boats were seized by Sri Lankan navy after their fishermen took away the boats from Indians.
112 fishermen were produced before Jaffna Point Pedro magistrate’s court which remanded them to judicial custody until Feb.28. In Tamil Nadu this provocative action of Sri Lanka led to widespread protests, and the state political parties urged the Centre to retaliate. The Centre, however has remained silent on the issue, even with its Home Minister coming from Tamil Nadu.
People have asked the Union Govt. why it is silent against a small country that depends on India for support on various occasions, and now attacks Indian fishermen in deep sea waters.
The Prime Minister talking to TV Editors in a Media gathering yesterday, knew of these attacks and stated that talks were going on with concerned officials. He said India was in constant contact with Sri Lankan Govt on the issue of harassing local fishermen in deep seas. The Indian Govt. has already informed Sri Lanka that such aggressive were “unacceptable” to India from Sri Lanka a small neighbour.
Ove 5,00 DMK members led by MP, Ms. Kanimozhi (daughter of M.Karunanidhi), carried out a strong protest in Chennai yesterday. Nagapattanam fishermen were ready for an agitation. Tension prevails in southern tip of India fishing colonies, source said.
But Sri Lanka has not relented, or apologized to Indian feelings of outrage.