8 fishermen injured in attack by Lankans

NAGAPATTINAM: Eight fishermen from Keechankuppam fishing hamlet in Nagapattinam district sustained injuries in an alleged mid-sea attack by Lankan fishermen at midnight on Tuesday. According to Manoharan, panchayat president of Akkaraipettai, the fishermen ventured into the sea on February 18 in a boat owned by Rajendran from Nagapattinam port. When they were engaged in deep-sea fishing southeast of Kodiakarai, Sri Lankan fishermen came in six fast crafts, surrounded them and hurled petrol bombs at their boat.They then jumped onto the boat of the fishermen and attacked them with sickles (aruvals). Three among the eight – Vaiyapuri, Sakthivel and Vadivel – sustained severe injuries. Vaiyapuri’s nose was cut-off. Other five sustained cut injuries. The attackers  snatched the catch, GPS instrument and other valuables and fled the spot.Other TN fishermen, who were in the vicinity, rescued the injured and brought them to shore on Wednesday morning.