Chennai: Ten Indian fishermen, arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters this week, will be charged with the death of a Navy sailor, who was killed in an operation to seize their trawler, local media reports said.
A statement issued by the Sri Lankan Navy said that a senior sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries due to “the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler, resisting its seizure. Unfortunately, the senior sailor succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna".
“They face charges for illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a naval person during the operation, and for causing damage to naval property,” the statement said.
This came even as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to convene the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group to prevent further arrests of the fishermen and also requested to secure the release of all the fishermen and their fishing boats under the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.
