Sri Lankan pirates attack, rob TN fishermen near Kodiakkarai

TIRUCHY: Four fishermen from Mayiladuthurai sustained cut injuries in a mid-sea attack by a Sri Lankan gang, and their equipment and catches were also snatched away on Thursday.

Sources said the fishermen from various districts used to stay at Kodiyakarai in Nagapattinam and venture out for fishing.

Against such a backdrop, a group of four fishermen from Mayiladuthurai identified as G Senthil (46) and K Jagan (36) from Puthupettai, S Ramakrishnan (67) from Savadi Kuppam, and D Samivel (35) from Chennai ventured into the sea on Wednesday.

While they were fishing at 13 nautical miles in the South East off Kodiyakarai, a three-member gang from a Sri Lankan boat approached them and immediately started attacking with lethal weapons. The foursome sustained severe cut injuries.

The Lankan gang also snatched away their GPS, mobile phones, walkie-talkie, nets, around 50 kg of catches and their fuel and fled away.

The injured fishermen reached the Kodiyakarai boat jetty on Thursday morning with the help of fellow fishers.

Upon reaching the shore, they were rushed to Vedaranyam GH, where they are undergoing treatment. Vedaranyam Marine Police registered a case and are investigating.

“The gang, which came by a fibre boat with an outboard engine, jumped into our boat and started attacking us without waiting for us to speak. We undergo such a situation very often, and the state and centre should initiate steps to stop this menace and help us earn our livelihood,” said Jagan, one of the injured fishermen.