Over 3,000 TN fishermen chased away by Lankan Navy

Over 3,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu, a fishermen association leader said on Sunday.

The fishermen from this island town had ventured into the sea in 564 boats and were fishing off Katchatheevu islet when the Lankan Naval personnel came to the spot past midnight and allegedly chased them away at gunpoint, Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association president P Sesuraja said here.

Following this, all the fishermen returned to the shore without a catch, he added.

He also said the Lankan Navy personnel snapped the nets in 20 boats.

Sesuraja said repeated attacks by the island's Navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen have affected their livelihood.

He also appealed to the Central and state governments to take steps to find a solution to the long-pending problem of fishermen.

On June 28, more than 2,500 fishermen from this island town were allegedly chased away by the Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Katchatheevu.