Lankan Navy opens fire in mid sea, fishermen escapes unhurt

Pudukkottai, Nov 8 : A group of Indian fishermen escaped unhurt when the Sri Lankan Navy personnel opened fire at them while fishing in the high seas last night.

Police sources said about ten fishermen from Kottaipattinam in this district, were fishing near the Katchatheevu in four boats when the Lankan Navy opened fire at them indiscriminately.

However, the fishermen escaped unhurt.

One of the boats owned by one Raja Mohammed were damaged in the firing. The Lankan Navy also damaged the fishing nets before leaving the scene.

Fearing for their lives, the fishermen returned to the shore with the help of other fishermen and filed a complaint with the police and fisheries department officials.

Today's incident comes close on the heels of the detention of 18 fishermen from Jagadaptatinam in this district a few days ago by the Lankan Navy.

Condemning the detention and seeking their safe release, the fishermen took to the path of agitation and did not venture into the sea since then.

Following assurance from the authorities they withdrew their nearly four-day long stir and ventured into the sea yesterday only to return to the shore empty handed after the Lankan Navy opened fire on them.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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