TN fishermen attacked

In the second such incident this week, 8 Tamil Nadu fishermen were injured and 13 boats damaged on Tuesday when Sri Lankan Naval personnel allegedly attacked them near the International Maritime Boundary Line near Katchatheevu, officials said.

The Sri Lankan Naval men pelted stones and also used steel bodied boats to dash against the craft of the fishermen and also used axe like weapons, forcing them to return to the shores, Indian Coast Guard and Fisheries officials said here.

The 8 fishermen suffered blood clots, bruises and concussion in the stone pelting, officials said at the government hospital here where they were being treated.

Two of the injured Mutusamy and Ganesan told reporters that the Sri Lankan Naval men hit them not only with stones but got onto their boats and assaulted them using the butt of their rifles and wooden planks.

The incident comes a day after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing concern over recurring attacks on fishermen and said India should take a “strong stand” against Sri Lanka and “convey its serious apprehension through tough words and action“.

On Sunday, six fishermen were injured and 10 boats damaged when Sri Lankan Naval personnel allegedly pelted stones at them while they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet. (The Hindu)