Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have accused the Sri Lankan navy of attacking them when they were fishing in the territorial waters of the island nation on Saturday. Eight Tamil Nadu fishermen were injured when they were allegedly attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy. An Indian fisheries official said the eight fishermen from Pudukottai district were fishing off Neduntheevu on Saturday evening when the naval personnel attacked them using iron rods and wires before chasing them away. The injured fishermen are reportedly being treated at a government hospital. In another incident, more than 2,500 Tamil Nadu fishermen were forced to return without their catch after they were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy for fishing off Katchatheevu, yesterday, Press Trust of India reported. Rameswaram Fishermen’s Association President P Sesuraja told media that the Sri Lankan Navy personnel pelted stones and snapped the nets of nearly 30 boats forcing the fishermen to flee and return to the shore this morning. According to the official, the fishermen had ventured into the sea in more than 600 boats last evening and were fishing off Katchatheevu when they were attacked. India ceded the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka over 40 years ago but the Tamil Nadu government led by late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and the people in the state refuse to accept the agreement that ceded the islet to Sri Lanka saying that it is their traditional fishing area. Sri Lankan Navy denies attacking Indian fishermen but says it conducts routine patrols and apprehends poachers detected illegally fishing in Sri Lankan Waters in order to protect the country’s fisheries resources.
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