Tamil Nadu Police file cases against Lankan Navy

This is first-ever action against foreign navy

In first-ever action against a foreign navy, Tamil Nadu police on Sunday registered a case against Sri Lankan Navy and their fishermen on charges including threatening and robbing Indian fishermen at midsea from Rameshwaram and Pamban areas last month.

Four FIRs have been registered under various IPC sections including 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation) in Pamban police station following complaints from Indian fishermen.

 While three cases were registered at the Temple police station in Rameshwaram against the Sri Lankan Navy, one FIR was registered in the Pamban police station against the Lankan fishermen, based on complaints lodged by fishermen – P Seshu, Sahaya Raja, and Sekar Kumar of Rameswaram and John Britto of Pamban, police said.

In their complaint, the Indian fishermen alleged that the Lankan Navy had threatened them and also opened fire in the air, when they were fishing on the high seas within the limits of Indian Maritime Boundary line on February 1, near Katchatheevu and Danushkodi.

The fishermen also alleged that Navy personnel came and damaged their boats and also seized their GPS system thus creating losses to them to the tune of Rs 3 lakh. In addition, they also alleged in the complaint that Sri Lankan fishermen attacked their boats and cut their nets on the same day.

According to police sources, though fishermen often complained about attacks by the Lankan Navy, this is the first time that cases have been registered against them.

As a consequence of the FIRs, Lankan Navy personnel could be arrested anytime if they cross into the Indian sea boundary, a senior police official said.

  Similarly, Lankan fishermen also could be arrested and made to face trial in Indian court, sources said.