Three TN fishermen seriously injured in Lankan attack

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Jun 17 (UNI) A group of Sri Lankan fishermen bombed a boat and hijacked three others carrying 12 fishermen from Tamil Nadu between Dhanuskodi and Katchathivu, yesterday, leaving three of them seriously injured.

Official sources said four fishermen managed to escape, while 12 were in the custody of Sri Lankan fishermen, who were carrying country made bombs, knives and sickles.

The sources said the six Lankan fishermen came in a boat and without any provocation, hurled bombs on a boat being piloted by one Hirudayam. The boat was blown into pieces and sunk along with all its catch, the sources added.

Four fishermen -- Soosai, Balamurugan, Praveen Kumar and Bothaharaj, who were also in the boat were injured seriously, but they, however, jumped into the sea and swam for safety.

Balamurugan, who managed to reach the coast, told the authorities that three other fishermen were in the water and struggling for their life. However, all the three were rescued by another group of fishermen and brought them to the shore, the sources added.

The injured fishermen were admitted at Government Headquarters Hospital in Rameswaram, the sources said.

UNI