Sri Lankan navy chases away 3,000 Indian fishermen; association president demands justice

According to reports, more than 3,000 Indian fishermen from Rameshwaram were chased back to the shore after snapping the fishing nets of several boats

Rameswaram: Over 3,000 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were allegedly chased away by Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday (November 3) when they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet, a fishermen association leader said.

It is reportedly said that the naval personnel also snapped the fishing nets of several boats.

The fishermen from Rameshwaram had ventured into the sea in over 500 boats and were fishing near Katchatheevu when the Lankan navy personnel came to the spot, cut the nets and chased them away, state fishermen association president N Devadoss said.

He alleged the Lankan navy personnel snapped the fishing nets of around 50 boats and damaged a few pieces of equipment.

The fishermen were forced to return to the shore without their catch, he said.

Devadoss appealed to the Centre and state governments to take up the issue with the Lankan authorities and their repeated attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen.

On Saturday, eight fishermen from the state were arrested by the Lankan navy for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters.