It seems diplomacy does not hold strong for even a week between India and Sri Lanka. External affairs minister S.M. Krishna raised the issue of attacks on Indian fishermen with authorities in Colombo during his four-day visit there last week. But news comes Sunday of four Tamil Nadu fishermen going missing and 200 boats being damaged allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy personnel at the international maritime boundary line in Palk Strait.
It was only on January 13 and 14 that the joint working group on fisheries between the two countries discussed the fishermen issue. At the meeting, the Indian representatives had reportedly stressed that there should be no use of force against Indian fishermen.
The fishermen had set out in over 682 boats on Saturday. Sources say Lankan Navy personnel had allegedly pelted stones, forcing them to return to the shore. Fisherman Jagedeesh, who was hurt in the incident, said there was a hail of stones, resulting in damage to over 200 boats.
Sources say one boat did not return to the shore in the chaos that followed the attack. “Two boats went missing but one boat returned,” the fishermen said. It is still not known whether the boat was taken into custody or had lost its way.
The windscreens of many boats were also damaged, fisherman Justin said.