TN fishermen allege attack by Sri Lankan Navalmen

The fishermen told fisheries officials that Sri Lankan Naval personnel surrounded their 15 boats and beat them up.

Warning them not to fish in the area, the Navalmen also allegedly took away the fish catch, GPS equipment and mobile phones, fisheries officials said.

"Our livelihood has been affected...it is a serious situation and both the central and state governments should effectively intervene to protect us and our livelihood," the fishermen told Assistant Director of Fisheries Markandeyan.

The Rameswaram fishermen had resumed fishing from midnight yesterday after striking work protesting the recent killing of a fisherman from Jegadapatinam in Pudukottai district in alleged firing by Sri Lankan Naval personnel.