NEW DELHI, October 2: Around 40 activists of a little-known Tamil Nadu-based outfit on Friday stormed the Sri Lankan High Commission here, pelting stones and ransacking the premises.

The Government of India regretted the incident and promised appropriate action against the perpetrators.

The activists of ‘Puthiya Tamizhagam’ entered the High Commission premises in the high-security diplomatic enclave called Chanakyapuri at around 2.30pm, protesting against firing by Sri Lankan Navy on Indian fishermen in the sea that separates the two neighbouring countries.

High Commission’s First Secretary Sugeeswara Gunaratne told The Island: "They  carried placards in English and Tamil, which said "Stop killing Tamil Nadu fishermen" and "Give equal rights to Tamils; Pressure Sri Lanka government."

He said the High Commission has taken up the matter with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and also lodged a complaint with the police.

Additional security will be sought, he added.

Today being a national holiday on account of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the High Commission was closed. The activists pushed aside two of the High Commission’s own security men guarding its main gate, climbed the walls and ran into the premises.

They shouted slogans and pelted stones at the building, breaking some window panes. They also broke some flower pots. They brought along a videographer to film the incident and distributed the footage to several round-the-clock news channels, which showed it in their news bulletins.

When a security officer of the mission brandished a pistol, they left the High Commission premises in vehicles in which they had come. No one has been arrested. The incident lasted about ten to 15 minutes.

"We deeply regret this unfortunate incident, which has involved an act of violence against a diplomatic mission," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said while reacting to the incident.

He said the law enforcement agencies have swung into action and security around the High Commission premises has been strengthened.

"Action as prescribed by the law will be taken against the perpetrators of this incident," he said.

A senior Sri Lankan High Commission official expressed unhappiness over the fact that the police posted in front of the mission had failed to prevent the storming of the premises and failed to apprehend the trouble-makers. A small contingent of Indian police is posted at the mission round the clock.

The Island learns that, when the High Commission’s security men sought the help of the police posted just a few yards away from the main gate, the armed policemen declined to intervene "without orders" from their superiors. "If they cannot stop such attacks from taking place without orders from their bosses, what on earth are they there for?" asked an angry official of the mission.

"The unfortunate thing is that the police failed to prevent the perpetrators from climbing over the perimeter," Gunaratne said.

Before coming to the High Commission, the activists held a protest at Jantar Mantar, a popular spot in the heart of the Indian capital for protesting agitators, against the Lankan Navy firing on Indian fishermen.

A senior police official said more police personnel have been deployed near the High Commission.

The transfer of Katchathivu, an island that is culturally important to fishermen of Tamil Nadu, has led to some agitations by Tamil Nadu politicians, demanding that it be returned to Indian sovereignty.

The island has a Catholic shrine that attracts devotees from both the countries.

The island is also important for fishing grounds used by fishers from both the countries. Under the treaty agreement of 1974, Indian fishermen have rights to rich fishing grounds in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka around Kachchaheevu.

During the civil war that raged for three decades and was ended by the Sri Lankan security forces in May this year, the LTTE often used Katchathivu and Indian fishermen to smuggle weapons.

This often forced the Sri Lankan Navy to resort to firing, which often resulted in the death of and injuries to Indian fishermen, provoking protests by Tamil Nadu politicians and the Government of India.  

Earlier, on February 13, activists of a fringe pro-Eelam group ‘Tamil Eelam Group’ surrounded the High Commission premises and tried to enter the building agitating against the "killing of innocent civilians" in Sri Lanka.