TN fishermen attacked again; fish catch seized

By Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai

CHENNAI, 05 August (asiantribune.com): Yet another alleged attack by Sri Lankan navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen near Katchatheevu on Sunday, is being reported.

It is said the Lankan navy attacked the fishermen for trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line and two fishermen were injured during the attack.

About 600 mechanised boats had ventured into sea for fishing on Saturday. After their rich catch they were planning to return the next day. But six Lankan navy boats had surrounded Indian boats and attacked the fishermen indiscriminately.
The fishermen were later released after receiving a stern warning not to venture into Lankan waters. The fishermen on their return lodged a complaint with the fisheries department.

They told the officials that the Lankan navy personnel had taken away their Rs 30 lakh worth fish catch and other communication equipment. Two injured fishermen Mani (38) and Braly (28) have been hospitalised.

‘No concrete steps yet by Centre’

The attack on the fishermen in the seas between Indian and Lanka figured in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The DMK, alliance partner of ruling UPA, lamented that there was no let up in the attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy in the Palk Strait. A positive and concrete solution from the Centre on the attacks is yet to happen.

Raising the issue during zero hour, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said following the attacks on Indian fishermen, boats and fishing net worth Rs 36 lakh were damaged. This is not the first time TN fishermen came under attack from Sri Lankan navy, he said adding that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had assured him that the External Affairs Minister would look into the issue.

In spite of assurances now and then there is no positive or concrete solution to the problem to assertively and firmly impress upon Colombo to instruct its navy to desist from attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.