Attack on Lankan boat: Fishermen deny helping LTTE

Rameswaram, Feb 6 (UNI) Indian fishermen today denied the charge that they helped Sea Tigers, the Naval wing of the LTTE, in sinking a Sri Lankan Surveillance Boat yesterday, off Neduntheevu Islands, terming it an ''utter lie'' to deny them of their fishing rights.

The Sri Lankan Navy had informed the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Mandapam Station in Ramanathapuram District of the state yesterday that a Sri Lankan Naval Surveillance Boat sank in the Sea after it was attacked by Sea Tigers travelling in an Indian Fishing Boat, using Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) off Neduntheevu Island in Sri Lankan Waters.

A Sri Lankan Naval ship, which was on patrol during the attack did not retaliate, sensing that it would result in large casualties to Indian fishermen, fishing in the area.

The ICG, in turn, had informed the matter to the Ramanathapuram District administration.

At an inquiry meeting convened by the district administration today to find out whether the LTTE militants had used Indian fishing boats in the attack, the fishermen, who had ventured into the sea yesterday, denied the report.

The meeting was headed by district Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Ms Poongothai and attended by officials of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department and leaders of various Fishermen Associations.

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