TN fishermen attacked, chased away by Sri Lankan Navy

Chennai: Fishermen dock their boats as a precautionary measure ahead of the arrival of cyclone 'Gaja', in Chennai, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Cyclone 'Gaja' intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to cross the south Tamil Nadu coast by late

More than 2,500 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet, a fishermen association leader said here on Thursday.

The fishermen from this island town had ventured into the sea on Wednesday evening in 497 boats and were fishing off Katchatheevu when the Lankan naval personnel came to the spot and attacked before driving them away, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President P Sesuraja alleged.

Fishing nets of several boats were also cut, he said adding the fisherfolk were forced to return to the shore without a catch.

Sesuraja urged Ramanathapuram MP K Navas Kani to take up the issue of frequent attacks on fishermen from the state with the Centre.

On Tuesday, 2,000 fishermen from here were allegedly chased away by Sri Lankan Navy when they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet.

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