The Naval patrol ship fired warning shots “as per standard operating procedure” after observing the “suspicious boat” which failed to heed to repeated warnings to stop; Fisheries Minister condemns the act
The Naval patrol ship fired warning shots “as per standard operating procedure” after observing the “suspicious boat” which failed to heed to repeated warnings to stop; Fisheries Minister condemns the act
A 30-year-old fisherman from Vanagiri near Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district was injured while fishing in the Palk Bay, when an Indian Naval personnel fired a gun in the wee hours on Friday.
The Naval ship, which was patrolling in Palk Bay near the India Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), fired warning shots “as per standard operating procedure” after observing the “suspicious boat” which failed to heed to repeated warnings to stop. One of the crew on board the boat was injured, an official press release from the Navy said.
The injured fisherman K. Veeravel (30) was administered first aid by the ship crew and evacuated by an Indian Navy Chetak helicopter to INS Parundu at Ramanathapuram.
Veeravel was subsequently admitted to Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital for further medical management. He was later shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai. His condition is reported to be stable.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the release further mentioned.
T.N. Fisheries Minister condemns the Navy
“It is a condemnable act that a Tamil fisherman has been injured by our own Indian Naval personnel who opened fire. It used to be the Sri Lankan Navy who did such things, but it is a matter of deep regret that it is our Indian Naval personnel this time,” said Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry at Madurai, on Friday.
He was addressing press persons after visiting the injured fisherman Veeravel, 30 at the GRH. Mr. Veeravel sustained bullet injuries in “his abdomen and thigh”.
The Minister said a total of 10 fishermen had ventured into the ocean from Karaikal port on the midnight of October 15. Of them, one fisherman belonged to Nagapattinam, three were from Karaikal and six others belonged to Mayiladuthurai. “The incident occurred when the fishermen were fishing in Palk Bay in the wee hours on Friday,” he said.
“Doctors have assured that he is out of danger. The best treatment is being ensured to him as per the directions of the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin,” shared Mr. Radhakrishnan. GRH Dean Dr. A. Rathinavel told The Hindu that a surgery was performed successfully and Mr. Veeravel was in a stable condition.
When asked about the reason for the firing and if the State has sought a response from the Indian Navy, the Minister said it would be thoroughly investigated and further details will be ascertained once the inquiry is complete.