(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu have accused the Sri Lankan Navy personnel of snapping their fishing nets and chasing them back to Indian waters while they were fishing near the Katchatheevu islet.
A fisheries official in Rameswaram has told PTI that over 3000 Fishermen from Rameswaram and Mandapam in 700 mechanized boats had ventured into the sea Wednesday morning and were fishing near Katchatheevu islet when the Sri Lankan Navy arrived and told them to leave.
The fisheries official alleged that Sri Lankan Navy hurled stones at the fishermen and snapped fishing nets of 50 vessels for fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters. He said all the fishermen returned early Thursday morning without a catch.
The mid-sea incident comes after the arrest of 17 fishermen from Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai districts on Tuesday by the Sri Lankan Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan waters near Delft Island.
The fisheries official has urged the Indian government to take up the issue with the Sri Lankan government to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
