Eight fishermen injured in 'attack' by Sri Lankan naval personnel

Eight fisherman from this island were injured, one of them seriously after they were attacked reportedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel while fishing off Katchathivu islet today.

Fisheries department sources said the fishermen were part of a group of 120 who had put out to sea in 30 boats.

They said the group were fishing off Katchathivu (an island ceded to Sri Lanka by India) when Sri Lankan naval personnel in fast boats surrounded them, mounted their vessels and attacked them. They also took away their prawn catch and snapped the fishing nets, the sources said.