Tamil Nadu fishermen chased away by Sri Lankan navy, fishing nets snapped

The Sri Lankan naval personnel cut the nets and chased away the fishermen on charges of entering their territorial waters yesterday, Rameswaram Fishermen's Association President P Sesuraja said.

The fishermen who had ventured into the sea from this island town in more than 600 boats were intercepted by the naval men, who also threatened to shoot them, he added.

The fishermen returned to the shore this morning, he said. Sesuraja urged the Centre to act on Sri Lankan navy's "atrocities" against Tamil Nadu fishermen.

On December 15, more than 2,500 fishermen from here were forced to return without their catch after Sri Lankan navy personnel allegedly snapped the fishing nets of 50 mechanised boats off Katchatheevu.