India called on the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to probe the fatal shooting of an Indian fisherman by a U.S. navy ship in waters off Dubai. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Syed Akbaruddin told in New Delhi that India’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi has requested UAE authorities to probe the circumstances of the tragic incident. Meanwhile the body of the Indian fisherman killed in the firing by US Ship off the Dubai coast near Jebel Ali Port on Sunday has been recovered. The deceased has been identified as Sekhar son of Arumugam while the injured include Muthu Kannan, Pandusinathan and Munairaj all from Tamilnadu near Rameshwaram. The condition of the three injured Indian fishermen at the Sheikh Rashid Hospital in Dubai is reportedly stable. The officials of the Indian Consulate in Dubai met the injured at the hospital today.
Talking to All India Radio, the Indian Ambassador to UAE M.K.Lokesh said the Embassy is in touch with the UAE authorities and pursuing the case to bring the guilty to book. The UAE authorities have informed that a case has been registered against the US ship USNS Rappahannock and investigations are on. Mr. Lokesh told that the focus is on providing assistance to the family of the deceased and care of the three injured fishermen.
Earlier on Monday ,one Indian fisherman was killed while three others were injured when a US navy refueling ship USNS Rappahannock fired at their small boat near Jebel Ali port in Dubai yesterday. US defence officials claimed that the boat was getting too close to the ship and ignored warnings not to approach the ship, and that sailors on board the American vessel feared it could pose a threat. A statement from the US Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain said the crew had opened fire as a last resort.
India has asked for details of the firing incident by a US navy vessel off UAE coast and has directed Indian officials in UAE to look into the matter with utmost urgency. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in New Delhi today said, the US ambassador to India, Nancy Powel called Foreign Secretry Ranjan Mathai to express regret. The Indian consulate in Dubai has begun a probe into the killing.
Meanwhile, the US has released a statement on the tragic incident saying that it had issued several warnings to the boat carrying the Indians before firing at them. As per the statement their warning were not heeded.
In Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Karaiyur Fishermen Association President Malairajan said the dead fisherman has been identified as Sekar of Periyapattinam in Ramanathapuram district.
The injured are Muniraj, Panpuvan and Murugan who also hail from Ramanathapuram.He said they were working for Dubai fishing companies on daily wage basis.
Lt Gred Raelson, a spokesman for US Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, said a security team aborad the USNS Rappahannock fired from a .50-calibre machinegun on the boat after it disregarded warnings and raced towards the ship.
