Sri Lankan Navy chases away over 3,000 Indian fishermen off Katchatheevu islet, snaps nets of 10 boats

Rameswaram: More than 3,000 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who had put out to sea in 460 mechanised boats, were chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday when they were allegedly fishing near Katchatheevu islet, Fisheries Department officials said. [caption id=“attachment_3539017” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The Lankan navy personnel also warned the fishermen from Rameswaram not to poach fish near Katchatheevu and snapped the nets of 10 boats, assistant director of fisheries A Manikandan said. Later, the navy personnel asked the fishermen to take back the snapped nets and warned them not to venture near the islet, he added. Seven Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested on 8 February by the Lankan navy, which also snapped the fishing nets of at least 50 vessels while they were allegedly fishing near Katchatheevu islet. On 6 February, more than 1,500 Tamil Nadu fishermen were chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were allegedly fishing close to Katchatheevu islet.