Body of Sri Lankan refugee washed ashore

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Jan 25 (UNI) The decomposed body of a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee, who was allegedly pushed into the sea by some fishermen, was washed ashore at Kothandaraman temple sea shore here today.

On information, cops of the Rameswaram temple police station rushed to the spot and removed the body of R Dushyanthan (22) of Mullaitheevu to the Government Hospital here for post mortem.

It may be recalled that Dushyanthan and two other refugees, T Adhavan and A Sridayaharan had paid Rs 1.15 lakh each to a clandestine boat operator at Nachikuda in Sri Lanka to get dropped at Arichamunai to reach Tamil Nadu in view of heavy fighting between the Sri Lankan Army and the proscribed LTTE.

However, the trio was offloaded near Kachathivu on Tuesday last and forced to board a mechanised fishing boat from Tamil Nadu.

When the boat reached the Indian waters, the fishermen on board asked the trio to jump into the sea as the Indian Coast Guard would intercept at any time. When the refugees refused to do so, the fishermen allegedly pushed them into the sea and fled away. While Adhavan and Sridayaharan managed to reach Rameswaram safely, Dushyanthan had drowned in the sea.

UNI GSM DS LPB ND1930