Chennai:
Sri Lanka has denied shooting Indian fishermen. Speaking to NDTV, Sri Lankan government spokesperson Laxman Hullugalle denied the incident. "When I spoke to the Navy, the Navy totally denied any shooting incident on fishermen from India."
The denial came as New Delhi formally registered its complaint with Colombo over the Lankan navy opening fire at sea at fishermen from Tamil Nadu. One fisherman was killed, another was injured.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has written to the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry expressing what sources describe as "a strong protest." The Sri Lankan High Commissioner was reportedly summoned within fifteen minutes of the occurence of the incident to discuss the matter.
(Read: India's official response)The fishermen attacked on Wednesday belong to a village in Pudukottai, about 350 kilometres from Chennai.
(Read: Indian fisherman shot dead by Lankan Navy)Manivel, who survived the attack, says, "I left with Pandian around 7 am. The Lankan navy arrived around 4 or 5 pm. They opened fire when they saw us fishing on the rear side of our boat. Pandian died and then they left."
This morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sent a telegram to the Prime Minister. Mr Karunanidhi said, "Atrocities of Lankan navy are continuing unabated inspite of repeated assurances. This incident may be taken with Lankan Government for immediate action against those responsible for shooting and killing. Your personal intervention is requested for firm action to end such killings."
That wasn't enough to placate the Opposition at home. The AIADMK slammed the state government over the "continued killing" of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Lankan navy over the past four years and asked "whether the state government will just stop with writing letters to the Centre or would take any action."