Indian Fishermen captured by Sri Lankan Naval Personnel

Yet another report came in from Rameswaram fisher folk that the Sri Lankan Naval Personnel stripped a group of fishermen from Tamil Nadu, allegedly beat them up and forced them to do sit-ups, after damaging their fishing nets at mid-sea, in the wee hours of Sunday.

The fishermen, who hurriedly returned to Rameswaram jetty, narrated their tale of woe to the officials of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department.

Over 670 mechanized fishing trawlers set sail into the sea for fishing on Saturday morning. A group of 13 fishing trawlers was intercepted by four Sri Lankan naval patrol vessels near the controversial Katchatheevu Island.

The Lankan naval men allegedly boarded the boats, stripped the fishermen of clothes and forced them to do sit-ups 'in a semi-nude' condition for nearly two hours, fisher men alleged.

The fishermen further said, they were beaten up severely and their fishing nets damaged by the naval personnel, who also seized the fish catches.

The Naval Personnel also threatened the fishermen at gunpoint not to venture into Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The loss was estimated at around Rs 15 lakh.

The harassment meted out to the innocent fishermen has triggered resentment among the fishing folk in the island town of Rameswaram.

In spite of repeated assurances by the Sri Lankan government to the Indian government that the Lankan naval personnel would not attack Indian fishermen, the fishermen were still facing severe threat from the island nation's navy.

- Asian Tribune -