TNS Corner
Sri Lankan Navy attacks on TN Fishermen Injures over 100

Nov 10, 2008, 16:40

Seetha Vijayan - TNS

Rameswaram  - Sri Lankan navy personals fired at 25 odd mechanized fishing boats in the mid sea near International Maritime Boundary Line on Saturday mid night. Three Tamil Nadu (TN) fishermen were badly injured in the Sri Lankan navy attack while 100 more TN fishermen were slightly injured in the Lankan Navy firing and rubber tubes attacks on them. Many TN fishermen said, Sri Lankan navy personal searched their boats in mid sea and snatched their catches and fishing net and threw them into the sea.

Sri Lankan navy personals also used iron rods, other sharp objects in addition to direct firing on the Tamil Nadu (TN) fishermen in that area. Earlier both Indian and Sri Lankan officials promised (October 26 India-Sri Lanka joint statement), the Tamil Nadu fishermen will not be attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy personals in the future and dealt leniently.

The TN Fisheries Department received many complains from fishermen in the past and many TN fishermen were killed and many others were injured in the heavy handed handling of the TN fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy in the past.

A Fisherman told TNS in Rameshwaram that latest attack by the Lankan navy yet again, is a violation of the assurance given by Sri Lanka to M K Narayanan, National Security Advisor to PM, that Sri Lankan navy would not attack TN fishermen.