A 30-year-old fisherman from Vanagiri near Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district was injured while fishing in the Palk Bay, when an Indian Naval personnel fired a gun in the wee hours on Friday.
The Naval ship, which was patrolling in Palk Bay near the India Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), fired warning shots "as per standard operating procedure" after observing the "suspicious boat" which failed to heed to repeated warnings to stop. One of the crew on board the boat was injured, an official press release from the Navy said.
The injured fisherman K. Veeravel (30) was administered first aid by the ship crew and evacuated by an Indian Navy Chetak helicopter to INS Parundu at Ramanathapuram.
Navy orders inquiry
Veeravel was subsequently admitted to Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital for further medical management. He was later shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai. His condition is reported to be stable.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the release further mentioned.
K. Veeravel (30) from Mayiladuthurai district, the fisherman who suffered bullet injuries after being shot by the Indian Navy patrol team at Palk Bay on October 21, 2022 was initially treated at Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital. Ramanathapuram District Collector Johny Tom Varghese and Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police P. Thangadurai visited the injured fisherman at the hospital, before he was shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai | Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR
CM Stalin writes to PM Modi
Hours after the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the matter and further requested to direct the Indian security agencies to exercise extreme caution and restraint while dealing with Indian fishermen in Indian waters. Referring to the incident, Mr. Stalin said in his letter that it caused considerable distress and anguish in the State.
"I am extremely saddened by this incident that has happened by an act of the Indian Navy. You are well aware of the plight of Indian fishermen being ill-treated by Sri Lankan security forces. But, when our security forces resort to similar acts, it creates a sense of despair and insecurity in the minds of the downtrodden fisher folk," Mr. Stalin contended.
Ten fishermen, including seven from Tamil Nadu and three from Karaikal of Puducherry ventured out for fishing in a Karaikal-based mechanised fishing boat. While fishing, K. Veeravel "was shot in mid-sea by Indian Navy personnel on board INS Bangaram," Mr. Stalin said.
Fisheries Minister condemns
“It is a condemnable act that a Tamil fisherman has been injured by our own Indian Naval personnel who opened fire. It used to be the Sri Lankan Navy who did such things, but it is a matter of deep regret that it is our Indian Naval personnel this time,” said Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry at Madurai, on Friday.
He who arrived at Madurai from Thoothukudi on Friday morning was addressing press persons after enquiring about the treatment given to the injured fisherman at the GRH. He was accompanied by Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan and Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P. Moorthy. Mr. Veeravel sustained pellet injuries in “his abdomen and thigh”.
The Minister said a total of 10 fishermen had ventured into the ocean from Karaikal port in the midnight of October 15. Of them, one fisherman belonged to Nagapattinam, three were from Karaikal and six others belonged to Mayiladuthurai. “The incident occurred when the fishermen were fishing in Palk Bay in the wee hours on Friday,” he said.
“Doctors have assured that he is out of danger. The best treatment is being ensured to him as per the directions of the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin,” shared Mr. Radhakrishnan. GRH Dean Dr. A. Rathinavel told The Hindu that a surgery was performed successfully and Mr. Veeravel was in a stable condition.
When asked about the reason for the firing and if the State has sought a response from the Indian Navy, the Minister said it would be thoroughly investigated and further details will be ascertained once the inquiry is complete.
₹2 lakh compensation handed over
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, to the victim’s family.
Following the announcement, Mr. Radhakrishnan who visited Mr. Veeravel at GRH later in the evening, handed over the relief amount to the fisherman’s kin and consoled them.
CPM demands ₹25 lakh compensation from Centre
CPI(M) State Committee Secretary K. Balakrishnan, on Friday, strongly condemned the incident. He who demanded that a case be booked also sought the arrest of Indian Navy personnel.
Further, Mr. Balakrishnan urged the Union government to pay a compensation of ₹25 lakhs to the fishermen who is undergoing treatment.
