Drop in fish catch due to Setusamudram project

Lankan Navy loots prawns of TN fishermen

Courtesy: www.newindpress.com

RAMESWARAM: Sri Lankan navy personnel had looted prawns and other varieties of fish from fishermen from Rameswaram, a group of fishermen who returned with empty boats said here on Tuesday.

Fishermen with tokens from the Fisheries Department had set out from Rameswaram on Monday in over 500 mechanised boats.

While they were fishing off Katchativu, Sri Lankan navy men who came there in fibreglass boats,entered the vessels of the Rameswaram fishermen and seized the prawns and other fish that had been netted by the local fishermen.

They had also chased the fishermen out of the area, the fishermen said.

These fishermen said that they were already affected by a fall in the catch and they were being driven to desperation.

Compounding their woes was the frequent looting of their catch by the Sri Lankan navy.

They said that the Central and State Governments should take action to ensure that they are allowed to ply their trade without harassment by the Sri Lankan navy.

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