Killing of Indian fisherman raised in Lok Sabha

Members in the Lok Sabha on Thursday raised the issue of the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, and sought action from the government.

Raising the issue in the lower house, AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai said the fishermen community was in "shock" over the killing.

He also said that Indian fishermen are regularly troubled by the Sri Lankan Navy who at times also take away their fishing equipment.

The AIADMK member also urged the central government to resolve the issue around the Katchatheevu island, which was ceded to Sri Lanka.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said urgent action needed to be taken for the fishermen community who are losing their livelihood as the fish catch close to the shore was depleted, and the fishermen are forced to go into deep waters.

Tharoor said that Indian fishermen were also being arrested by Pakistan's Navy and recently, Indian fishermen were taken in custody in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) of Diego Garcia, an archipelago of 55 islands in the Indian Ocean south of India.

"Fish stock near the shore has depleted, so fishermen go into deep waters. Modernisation of fishing infrastructure is urgently required," he said.

Six fishermen from Thangachimadam in Ramanathapuram district were fishing near the Katchatheevu islet in the narrow sea dividing the two countries when they were fired at on Monday night, Indian officials said.

One fisherman, K. Britjo, was killed. Another who was injured was warded in a hospital in Tamil Nadu. The others escaped without injuries.

Colombo has denied that the Sri Lankan Navy was involved in the killing and promised a thorough probe in the incident.

--IANS

ao/rn