Sri Lankan Navy chases away Tamil Nadu fishermen, snap their fishing nets

Fishing nets of 10 mechanised boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly snapped by Sri Lankan naval personnel who also chased away nearly 3,000 fishers off Katchatheevu islet.

The Lankan naval personnel cut the nets and chased away the fishermen on charges of entering their territorial waters on Saturday, Rameswaram Fishermen’s Association president P Sesuraja said.

The fishermen who had ventured into the sea from this island town in more than 600 boats were intercepted by the naval men, who also threatened to shoot them, he added.

The fishermen returned to the shore this morning, he said. Sesuraja urged the Centre to act on Sri Lankan navy’s “atrocities” against Tamil Nadu fishermen.

On December 15, more than 2,500 fishermen from here were forced to return without their catch after lankan navy personnel allegedly snapped the fishing nets of 50 mechanised boats off Katchatheevu.