Indian Foreign Secy. arrives to discuss fishermen killing

Saturday, 29 January 2011 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PTI: Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will travel to Colombo on Saturday to discuss with the Sri Lankan government the killing of Indian fishermen in the past one month allegedly by its navy.

“External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has asked the Foreign Secretary to go to Sri Lanka tomorrow to discuss the killing of Indian fishermen with the government there,” sources said here on Friday.

Reflecting the political sensitivities in Tamil Nadu, India has already reacted very strongly to the incidents in which two Indian fishermen were killed in the span of one month, notwithstanding Sri Lankan government’s claim that its navy was not involved.

Terming the incidents as “very serious” and “unacceptable”, India has said that such incidents have “justification” and called on Sri Lankan authorities to “desist” from the use of force.

A fisherman was killed and two others were injured while fishing off Kodiakarai coast on 22 January. The man, who had put out to sea with two others from Pushpavanam coastal hamlet, died after Sri Lankan Naval personnel allegedly tied a rope around his neck and pushed him into the water, fisheries department sources said.

On 12 January, an Indian fisherman was killed in Palk Straits when Sri Lankan Navy allegedly opened fire at three fishermen, who put out to sea from Jagadapattinnam near Pudukottai.