Chennai, Aug 3 (UNI) The Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday handed over the body of
Tamil Nadu fisherman, who died in boat collision two days back in the high seas,
and released two other fishermen abducted by it for allegedly fishing in their waters.
A defence release here said the Sri Lankan Navy handed over the fishermen and
the mortal remains of the fisherman to Indian Navy near the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL) at the wee hours of around 1 AM today.
Indian Navy ship, INS Bitra, which was on deployment off Rameswaram coordinated
with Sri Lankan Navy ship and received the fishermen and the dead body at sea.
The Indian Navy ship then proceeded to Rameswaram, where Navy Officer from
Naval Detachment coordinated with Marine Police and Fisheries Department of
Tamil Nadu government, in transferring the mortal remains and the fishermen, at
around 3 AM.
It may be recalled that one fishermen from Tamil Nadu was killed and two others
were arrested by the Lankan Navy when the boat in which they were fishing in high
seas collided with the Sri Lankan Navy's patrol boat late on Wednesday night.
One fishermen was missing in the incident, which occurred near the International
Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The body of the deceased fishermen, Malaisamy, was taken by the Lankan Navy
along with two arrested fishermen.
Malaisamy, who hailed from Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district, fell from
the boat in the impact of the collision, and drowned in the sea.
The two arrested, Muthu Muniyandi and Mookaiya, were rescued by Lankan Navy
and taken to Lanka.
A search was on to trace the missing fisherman, identified as Ramachandran,
with the help of Indian Coast Guard and Navy.
A group of four fishermen from Rameswaram ventured into the sea for fishing
in a mechanised boat after getting tokens on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the fishing community in Rameswaram condemned the death of Malaisamy
and staged a road blockade agitation demanding action against the Sri Lankan Navy.
They also launched an indefinite stir from Friday demanding a permanent solution to
the issue.
Terming the death of Tamil Nadu fisherman in a collision with Sri Lankan Navy
patrol boat as devastating, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had urged External Affairs Minister
Dr.S.Jaishankar to take up the issue with the Island Nation authorities and bring back the
body of the deceased fisherman.
The Chief Minister urged Dr Jaishankar to strongly take up this matter with the Sri Lankan
authorities and also to expedite the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased
fisherman, Malaisamy to India.
"Apart from the loss of life there are reports of injuries to two fishermen. They are in the
custody of the Sri Lankan authorities and I request you to ensure consular access, adequate
medical care and support for bringing them back to Tamil Nadu at the earliest", he added.
"We have brought this to your attention several times in the past. I earnestly hope that the
matter will be given top priority that it deserves and prompt diplomatic action will be initiated
in this regard", Mr Stalin said.
India also summoned the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and expressed its strong condemnation
to the killing of fisherman.
UNI GV 1355