Case registered against Sri Lankan fishermen, navy

RAMESWARAM: In what is considered to be the first such action by Tamil Nadu Police,a case has been registered against Sri lankan fishermen for allegedly robbing fishing nets worth Rs.2.80 lakh from an Indian boat last month.

Pamban police today registered cases under IPC sections including 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation).

A fisherman, John Britto, complained that Lankan fishermen robbed their nets when they were fishing in the Palk Strait near Neduntheevu on February 3, police said.

Rameswaram Town Police also registered a case against Lankan navalmen for allegedly ramming their ship against an Indian fishing boat and damaging it near Katchatheevu.They also fired in the air to threaten and scare them, a fisherman Sahayaraj said in his complaint, adding, the Lankan navalmen also attacked the boat with iron rods and damaged it.

A case has been registered against Lankan Navalmen under various IPC sections including Sec 341, police said. The implication of registration of complaint would mean that Lankan navalmen could be arrested if they crossed over to Indian Territory at any point of time,an official said. Similarly, Lankan fishermen also could be arrested and could be asked to face trial in Indian court, sources said