TN fishermen situation worsens as Lankan navy seize two boats, arrest 21 men
India Today
TN fishers were surrounded by Lankan fishers as retaliation for an incident on January 27 when a Tamil fishing boat allegedly struck a fibre boat carrying two Lankan fishermen, one of whom died of drowning.
The Sri Lankan navy has arrested 21 Tamil fishermen and apprehended two fishing boats for reportedly crossing the maritime border.
The fishermen belonged to Nagapattinam and had left with a party of 400 boats carrying nearly a thousand fishermen on January 31.
Initial reports also revealed that the Tamil fishermen were actually surrounded by Sri Lankan fishermen from Vadamaratchi, Neduntheevu, Yazhpaanam and Paruthithurai as a retaliation to an incident which occured on January 27 where a Tamil fishermen boat had allegedly struck a fibre boat carrying two Srilankan fishermen sinking it.
One of the fishermen’s corpses washed ashore at Paruthithurai beach. Outraged fishermen protested against this and then surrounded the Tamil fishermen's boats.
The Sri Lankan navy, who apprehended the boats and arrested 21 Tamil fishermen, are expected to produce them at Yazhpanam Court today.
Sri Lankan fishermen have also alleged that Tamil fishermen attacked them with stones and petrol bombs when surrounded.
Also Read: Pakistan hands over 20 Indian fishermen to India at Wagah border
