A group of fishermen from Tamil Nadu were on Tuesday allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan naval men while they were fishing near Katchatheevu, officials of the fisheries department said.
The fishermen from the coastal area had ventured for fishing in 20 boats, officials said, adding that the Lankan naval men allegedly attacked them with ropes and steel pipes, causing extensive damage to their fishing nets and communication equipment.
The officials, quoting a boat-owner, said they reportedly even stuffed sugar in the engine of one of the mechanised boats and paralysed it.
The fishermen alleged that the naval personnel also seized the catch and warned that they would open fire next time if they were seen near Katchatheevu, an islet in the Palk Straits ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974.