Rameswaram: Four Tamil Nadu fishermen were injured when they were assaulted, allegedly by Sri Lankan Naval personnel, while they were fishing near Katchatheevu last night.

Officials,quoting the fishermen, said the personnel also seized their catch, worth Rs five lakh, and nets, adding a total of 725 boats had put to sea from here yesterday. Talking to reporters, one of the injured fisherman alleged that their group comprising ten boats with forty fishermen were fishing near Katchatheevu along the international maritime boundary line when 14 Sri Lankan Naval personnel came in two boats and attacked them. They beat them using sticks, he alleged.

After seizing their catch and nets, they warned that they would be arrested, if they came for fishing in the area again, he said. On October 18, four Tamil Nadu fishermen came under firing, allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, while fishing off Kodiakarai coast in Nagapattinam District. While the fishermen escaped unhurt by jumping into the sea, their boat was damaged in the incident. Three fishermen of another village near Kodiakarai were injured in an attack, allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, on October 13.

Source : PTI