TN fishermen chased away by Lankan Navy personnel

RAMESWARAM (TN): A group of fishermen of this island were today chased away by Sri Lankan Naval personnel while fishing in the Palk Strait, officials said.

The Sri Lankan Naval personnel chased away more than 20 fishermen who were fishing in midsea near the maritime borders, officials and a fishermen association functionary said.

President of Rameswaram Fishermen Organisation S Emiret claimed the fishermen were not aware whether the area was Indian or Sri Lankan territory.

As the Sri Lankan naval personnel asked them to move away, the fishermen panicked, cut off their fishing nets themselves and fled the scene, fisheries officials here said.

The officials said the fishermen lost fish and fishing net estimated to be Rs 10 lakh.