TN fishermen allege country bomb attack by SL counterparts

NK Bose, state secretary, Tamizhaga Visaipadagu Meenavar Nala Sangam, Rameswaram, however, claimed that the incident took place on Saturday. “The boats left the Rameswaram jetty at 7 am on Saturday. I received a call around 8.30 am, informing me about the attack,” he said.

“The Lankan fishermen on board six boats hurled country bombs, which fell into the sea along the International Maritime Boundary Line. Fishing nets of about 10 boats were damaged. The Lankan Navy personnel also joined the attack against the Rameswaram fishermen, who had a narrow escape as they rushed back to shore,” Bose said.

He said the Lankan fishermen could have launched the attack since some Indian fishermen were using the banned ‘pair trawling nets’. “Since such illegal activity takes place along the border, the Lankan fishermen might have resorted to this. Three boats were fined about 15 days ago after Fisheries officials came to know about the issue,” Bose added.

However, E Kathavarayan, Ramanathapuram Regional Deputy Director of Fisheries, said no such information regarding the attack has been reported to the Fisheries Department. “We have not received any communication in this regard even from the fishermen, who have returned to Rameswaram. A total of 520 fishing boats ventured into the sea off Rameswaram on Saturday morning,” he said.