A Special Boat Squadron (SBS) sailor died yesterday (25), according to Navy headquarters, from wounds sustained during a “confrontation” with an Indian trawler off Kankesanthurai. A Fast Attack Craft (FAC) affiliated with the Northern Command also sustained significant damage as a result of what Navy headquarters described as an Indian trawler’s aggressive manoeuvres.
“Indian fishermen poaching confrontation: sailor killed, naval vessel severely damaged”
The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday during a Navy operation to drive away Indian trawlers who were poaching in our territorial waters.
Despite the incident, the ten Indian fishermen involved were taken into custody by the Navy. The seaman was taken to the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna, where he eventually passed away from his wounds.
“The Navy frequently encountered aggressive manoeuvres by Indian trawlers during operations, which often result in injuries to naval personnel and damage to the Navy’s ships and craft,” a senior official stated. In spite of this opposition, the Navy routinely conducts operations in harsh circumstances to drive Indian trawlers who are poaching in the nation’s waters—often at night.
The Mailadi Fisheries Inspector had received the Indians and their trawler in order to initiate legal proceedings.
With this most recent capture, the Navy has now taken into custody 214 Indian fishermen and 28 Indian poaching trawlers this year, and will be turning them over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. (SF)
(SLN photo: Chinese fishermen are detained for killing and poaching sailors.)
