Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :

(a) whether it is a fact that a number of cases have been reported about the attack and detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy during the last six months;

(b) if so, the number of such cases reported during the last six months, number of fishermen killed or detained in these incidents;

(c) the concrete measures taken by the Indian Government to ensure safety of Indian fishermen;

(d) whether the State Government of Tamil Nadu has demanded revocation of 1974 pact with Sri Lanka and reclaimation of the island of Kachchatheevu; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and Government’s reaction thereto?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (e) Reports have appeared from time to time on incidents of attacks on Indian fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy. As per available information, in the last six months, 192 Indian fishermen have been apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy till date, 8 incidents of alleged attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been reported and there have been no incidents of deaths of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. The Government attaches highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. The reports of apprehensions and attacks on Indian fishermen are immediately and consistently taken up with the Government of Sri Lanka through diplomatic channels. As a result, Government of India has been able to seek and secure early release and repatriation of apprehended Indian fishermen in most instances. The External Affairs Minister during his meeting with his counterpart in January 2013 raised the issue of attacks on Indian fishermen. In this regard, he emphasised that the use of force on Indian fishermen could not be justified under any circumstances and reiterated the importance of extending humane treatment to all fishermen. The Indian Coast Guard has also augmented its surveillance efforts by deploying additional assets along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Sri Lanka from March 2013. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had met the Prime Minister in June 2011 with a memorandum on a number of issues including retrieval of Katchatheevu. The Government of India considers its maritime boundary with Sri Lanka settled under the Agreements concluded with Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976.

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