Chennai: Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has written a letter to Prime Minister Modi regarding the firing by the Indian Navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen. In it, he stressed that the security agencies should advise the Indian fishermen to handle with extreme caution and restraint. 10 fishermen from Karaikal, Puducherry went to the sea last week to catch fish. They were engaged in fishing in Bag Strait area yesterday morning. The Indian Navy patrol boat that came there then called the fishermen on the boat who were engaged in fishing through the microphone. Due to heavy rain it was not heard by fishermen. As they continued fishing, the Indian Navy opened fire on the surface of the boat.
At that time, 2 shells hit the left stomach and thigh of Vanagirimenavar Weeravel (32), who was sitting at the back of the boat. Subsequently, the naval personnel who went near the boat rescued Veeravelu who was unconscious and informed the Uchipuli INS Parundu Naval Air Station to take him for treatment. According to this, fisherman Weeravelu was rescued yesterday morning by Uchipuli Naval Airfield helicopter. After this, he was sent to Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital. Veeravel was given intensive treatment there. However, he was sent by ambulance to Veeravel Madurai Government Hospital for further treatment. In this case, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has said in a letter written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday:
While 10 fishermen (7 from Tamil Nadu and 3 from Karaikal) were fishing in the middle of the sea in their power boat, the Indian Navy guarding the ship INS Bangaram opened fire on the fishermen and a bullet fell on the fisherman named Veeravel and he is now dead with serious injuries. He is receiving further treatment at Madurai Government Hospital. The action of the Indian Navy in this incident is very regrettable. You are well aware of the distress caused by the occasional attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. When the Indian Navy itself engages in such activities, it creates a sense of distrust and insecurity among the bottom-dwelling fishermen. Therefore, the Prime Minister should immediately intervene in this matter and issue appropriate instructions to the Indian security agencies to deal with Indian fishermen fishing in Indian waters with extreme caution and restraint.
*Rs 2 lakh compensation to the injured fisherman
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s announcement yesterday: I was very shocked to hear the news that a fisherman named Weeravel from Vanagiri village of Mayiladuthurai district has been seriously injured after being shot by the Indian Navy. He said that he has ordered special treatment for the injured fisherman Weeravel and has ordered Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s general relief fund. Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan and P. Murthy came to Madurai Government Hospital and presented a check of Rs.2 lakh to Veeravel’s wife Madhumati.