Sri Lankan naval personnel pelt stones at fishermen, cut fishing nets

About 2,700 fishermen from this coastal town returned without fishing after Sri Lankan naval personnel allegedly pelted stones at them and cut the fishing nets of some boats off Katchativu, officials said in Rameswaram on Thursday.

They said the fishermen had put out to sea in 683 mechanised boats Wednesday night and were fishing off Katchathivu islet when the Naval personnel came in boats, pelted stones at them and cut the nets on six boats.

They also threatened them against fishing in the area, the officials said.