A day after a Gujarati fisherman was killed and 30 others allegedly kidnapped by the Pakistan coastal security personnel, the government on Sunday said that it would raise the issue of ‘shoot-and-scoot killing’ with the neighbouring country.
‘India would strongly take up the shoot-and-scoot killing of a fisherman by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency,’ a senior official at the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said.
The fisherman who was killed was identified as Naran Bhai Sosa. A member of fishermen’s boat association said that the incident took place off Jakhau coast in Gujarat and the allegedly kidnapped fishermen were taken away in five boats by Pakistani coast guards.
Reports also said that Pakistani personnel allegedly opened fire on Indian fishing boat Dhanvantari when they were fishing. Sosa’s body was taken to Jamnagar Medical College for post-mortem examination.
MEA officials added that the discussion on this issue is imperative because even though fishermen and boats have been previously detained and boats apprehended by the Pakistani coast guards, the killing of unarmed fishermen could be deemed rather unusual. ‘One fisherman has been killed and this will not be accepted at any cost. We will take up the issue with our Pakistani counterparts as soon as possible,’ the MEA officials added.
Meanwhile, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said he has taken up the issue of Pakistan’s latest violation with the central government.
‘Spoke to AK Antony-ji on Pakistan’s actions against Guj’s (Gujarat) fishermen today. Urged him that Centre should take a serious note and investigate it,’ the evidently peeved chief minister posted on Twitter on Saturday.