Tamil Nadu fishermen attacked, chased away by Sri Lankan Navy

Rameswaram, November 19

More than 2,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet, a fishermen association leader said here on Tuesday.

The fishermen from this island town had ventured into the sea on Monday evening in 540 boats and were fishing off Katchatheevu when a team of Sri Lankan naval personnel came to the spot and attacked before driving them away, Rameswaram Fishermen Association president P Sesuraja alleged.

Fishing nets of 20 boats were also snapped, he said, adding that the fishermen were forced to return to the shore without a catch.

He urged the Centre to take up the fishermen’s issue with the newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Earlier this month, over 3,000 fishermen from here were allegedly chased away by Sri Lankan Navy when they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet. PTI