Now, Indian Coast Guard craft hits boat, injures one

The incident happened on sunday morning when three fishermen Manikandan (35), Nagendran (45) and Muneeswaran (30) from Therkuvadi near Mandapam, were fishing for crabs in the Gulf of Mannar region, south of Mandapam. It is said there were high tides accompanied by heavy water currents.

As the waters were rough and choppy, the hovercraft which was on surveillance in the region hit the boat. The impact not only damaged the boat but it also toppled it. As a result the fishermen fell into the sea. Immediately, the ICG personnel rescued the fishermen and took them to the coast.

In the incident, one of the fishermen, Nagendran, sustained injuries. He was rushed to the Ramanthapuram GH in the ICGS ambulance. Meanwhile, fishermen in another boat who saw the incident rushed to the spot and took the damaged boat to Mandapam coast.

Following the incident, the ICG had called the fishermen, who were on the boat, and fishermen leaders for talks to their Mandapam office. Sources said that the ICG officials had promised the fishermen to repair the damaged boat. After extensive talks with the ICG officials the fishermen have decided not to file any complaint.

This is the second such incident in less than two weeks. On November 13, ICG personnel had reportedly opened fire at fishermen in which two had suffered injuries and this had turned out to be a big issue.