India reacts strongly to death of fisherman in SL Navy firing

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Reacting strongly to the killingof an Indian fisherman in firing by the Sri Lankan Navy, Indiatoday said such incidents have no "justification" and calledon the authorities there to "desist" from use of force.

In a fresh incident of attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen inPalk Straits, one person was killed when Sri Lankan Navyallegedly opened fire at three fishermen, who put out to seafrom Jagadapattinnam near Pudukottai yesterday.

"We have received reports of the death of an Indianfisherman due to firing by Sri Lankan Navy personnel. Our HighCommissioner in Colombo has immediately taken up this matterwith the Sri Lankan Government and expressed our deep concernand regret at this incident.

"We have emphasised that resort to firing in thesesituations has no justification and called on the Sri Lankanauthorities to desist from use of force," a statement fromthe Ministry of External Affairs said here.

It said the welfare and the safety of Indian fishermen inthe waters between India and Sri Lanka have received very highpriority by the government.

"We have consistently emphasised to the Sri Lankangovernment to refrain from firing on our fishermen andscrupulously adhere to the October 2008 understanding reachedbetween the two governments. We call on the Sri Lankan Navy toexercise maximum restraint and avoid use of force in suchsituations," the statement said.