5 Indian fishermen killed, 2 injured in Lankan Navy attack

Chennai, Mar 30 (UNI) Five Indian fishermen from Kanniyakumari were killed and two others sustained bullet injuries when Sri Lankan Navy personnel opened fire at them in the high seas yesterday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhui, condemning the killings, announced a solatium of Rs two lakh each to the families of the five fishermen, according to an official release.

The assistance were handed over to the families by Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan.

Police sources said the incident occurred about 30 nautical miles from the Indian coast where a group of nine fishermen hailing from Ezhudesam, Chinnathurai and Nerodi areas in Kanniyakumari, were fishing.

In all, nine fishermen had ventured into the sea on March 23 for fishing when the Lankan Naval personnel opened fire indiscriminately killing two fishermen, Mariajohn (50) and Lenis (52), on the spot.

Jesudoss (31), who sustained serious injuries died at the Hospital here this morning.

Two others, Satish (26) and Justin (21) who sustained bullet wounds and jumped from the boat, were also believed to be drowned.

The injured, Jerry and Easter Boy were admitted to the hospital.

Two other fishermen, who escaped unhurt in the firing, brought the deceased colleagues and the injured to the shore late last night.

Tension prevailed in the southern Kanniyakumari as the killing of fishermen comes in the wake of missing of 12 of their colleagues since March six.

A pall of gloom descended over the village and the women were seen wailing beating their chest unconsolably as the funeral of three fishermen were performed.

This was one of the worst attacks on Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy personnel in recent times, after they shot dead one fisherman, Christopher, hailing from Pamban in Rameswaram two weeks back.

Leaders cutting across party lines unequivocally condemned the recurring attacks on fishermen, with the opposition AIADMK deciding to launch an agitation in Kanniyakumari on April two.

While AIADMK and its ally, the MDMK, blamed the Centre and the State governments for the continuing attacks by the Lankan Navy and wanted urgent steps to safeguard the fishermen, the DPA allies, extending support to the government, urged the governments to take steps to prevent such killings.

UNI