CHENNAI: Three fishermen of Tamil Nadu suffered injuries and two boats were damaged at the hands of Sri Lankan Navy while engaged in fishing near Katchatheevu.

The injured victims are Mackenna (46) of Thangachimadam, Rajendran (59) of Nethaji Nagar and Thangam (50) of Rameswaram.

S. Emarit, president of Rameswaram All Mechanized Boats Fishermen Association, said the incident occured between 1am and 2 am, but the fellow fishermen were aware of it only after they reached the shore at 5 am.

They set out to sea off Rameswaram on Monday afternoon. Among the victims, Rajendran suffered head injuries. Those injured were treated as out-patients in Rameswaram GH. Fishing nets were also damaged by the Lankan Navy.

However, official sources said two fishermen suffered minor injuries and one boat was slightly damaged when the Lankan Navy personnel chased them away from their territorial waters.