SL Navy hurled stones, bottles at us, allege TN fishermen

While fishermen, who ventured into the sea on Monday morning onboard 400 boats returned by night after being chased away by Lankan naval personnel, groups that were on their way back home later came under attack, local fishermen association president P Sesuraja told reporters here.

Political parties, including MDMK, condemned the ‘attack’ in Dhanushkodi area in Indian waters that came close on the heels of more than 4,000 fishermen being driven away by the Lankan navy on October 17, while fishing near Katchatheevu. These incidents came after a lull in the mid-sea attacks for over three months, Sesuraja said.

Fisheries Department Assistant Director Rajendran and police officials said they were looking into the complaint of alleged attack on the fishermen..

Sesuraja alleged the Lankan Navy pelted stones and flung glass bottles at fishermen injuring S Suresh (37), fisherman of Thangachimadam ‘seriously’ while several others also suffered wounds.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko charged that India did not even lodge a strong protest with Lanka and it was anguishing.

PMK founder leader S Ramadoss condemned the attack adding it was a ‘transgression’ by Sri Lanka and wanted the Centre to lodge a strong protest with the island nation’s envoy. “The state and the Central should not tolerate the attacks,” he said.