HC directive to Coast Guard on attacks on TN fishermen

Hearing a batch of petitions seeking protection to the fishermen, Justice Vinod K Sharma and Justice A Selvam also asked the central and state governments to furnish in detail steps taken by them to prevent the fishermen from crossing over into Sri Lankan waters and getting attacked.

The Coast Guard should specify steps taken to protect Indian fishermen when they fish in Indian territorial waters; to prevent them from crossing into Sri Lankan waters and getting killed, the court stated.

"You should ensure that they do not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line. Tell us the steps taken to protect them," the Judges said.

When the Judges asked the Additional Solicitor General why fishermen were getting killed if they were being given protection, the ASG said Sri Lankan Navy was denying having killed Indian fishermen.

They, however, made it clear that it was not possible for the court to give any direction to the government to give protection to the Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. (MORE)