India denies attack claim on Lankan fishermen by Indian Navy

Colombo, Jun 18 (PTI):
India on Friday rejected as “blatantly false” the local media reports about the Indian Navy’s alleged assault on a group of Sri Lankan fishermen, saying no such incident has taken place.
A group of 13 local fishermen claimed that they had ventured into the sea on May 7 onboard trawlers ‘Thushan 1’ and ‘Thushan II’ and were physically assaulted by the Indian Navy in the international waters around Diego Garcia on June 4.
“They demanded drugs from us even after we told them that we were only fishermen,” two fishermen told the local Hiru TV.
Responding to their claims, the Indian High Commission here denied that the fishermen had been assaulted by the Indian Navy.
“Media reports on June 17 stating that a group of Sri Lankan fishermen was attacked physically by the Indian Navy are blatantly false. We deny any such incident having taken place, the High Commission said.
“The Indian Navy is a highly disciplined and professional force which discharges its responsibilities in an impeccable manner, it said in a statement.
India is firmly committed to addressing all fishermen-related issues between India and Sri Lanka in a humanitarian manner through established bilateral mechanisms and understandings, it added.
After the media reports, Secretary to the Fisheries Ministry Indu Rathnayake told the local media here that a discussion will be held with India after the report is investigated.