Tamil Nadu, March 7 (NIA) – The family of 22-year-old Indian fisherman K Britso, who was allegedly shot dead by Sri Lankan Navy soldiers near the Palk Strait on Monday, has refused to take his body from the hospital in Tamil Nadu and has demanded action against the killers.
Meanwhile, India has said it is deeply concerned over the killing of its fisherman and has taken up the matter with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, India Today, quoting sources in the Indian government said.
“The government of India is deeply concerned over the killing of an Indian fisherman. Our High Commissioner has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka”, sources said.
“The Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation”, the sources added. However. the Sri Lankan Navy has not admitted to the killing yet.
Sri Lanka’s Navy Spokesperson, Lieutenant Commander Chaminda Walakuluge said the Sri Lanka Navy had not opened fire on the fishermen and the claims were not true.
He said the Navy only arrested Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters and would not open fire.
A bullet injury in the neck of the deceased was found and an Indian fisheries department official said Britso had died on the spot.
Hundreds of fishermen demonstrated at Thangachimadam in Rameswaram to protest the killing.
The fishermen alleged that there was no proper coordination between Sri Lankan and Indian officials on the issue of fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait.
Last week alone, an estimated 45 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy after the fishermen had crossed into Sri Lankan waters illegally.