Chennai: A fisherman from Tamil Nadu was shot with a rubber bullet near Lankan waters. The shot was fired by the Indian Navy in Palk Bay.
The Navy in an official statement said the boat did not stop despite repeated warnings and the shot was fired as per standard operating procedure, reported NDTV.
The police said the fisherman is stable and out of danger. The incident is being investigated. "We understand the firing has happened in the Gulf of Mannar area near the internal borderline." PMK Chief Dr P Ramadoss has demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the fisherman.
Fishermen from Tamil Nadu often face attacks from the Sri Lankan Navy. Over 600 Indian fishermen have died after Sri Lanka fired pellets at them. Indian boats venture into Lankan waters due to depleted fish populations in Indian waters. The Lankan government also seized Indian boats which is a shift from the erstwhile policy of returning the vessel after a legal process.
India gifted the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in the 70s and Tamil Nadu has been demanding its retrieval in order to enlarge the permissible fishing area. Former CM Jayalalitha had suggested a long-term lease agreement.