NEW DELHI, April 26 – A total of 125 Indian fishermen have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last four months, the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian parliament) was informed Thursday.
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said the government had emphasised the need for the Sri Lankan Navy to exercise restraint, extend humane treatment to Indian fishermen and avoid resorting to violence under any circumstances, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
“The number of Indian fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy was 203 in 2011, 202 in 2012 and 125 in 2013. A total of 21 incidents of alleged attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been reported in the last two years,” he said.
However, there have been no incidents of deaths of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, the minister said. Ahamed said the government continues to remain engaged with Sri Lanka to ensure that fishermen on both sides continued to pursue their livelihood in a safe, secure and sustainable manner.
Reports of attacks on Indian fishermen are taken up immediately with the Sri Lankan government through diplomatic channels, he said.
“As a result, the government has been able to seek and secure early release and repatriation of our fishermen in most instances,” he added.
BERNAMA
