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.
