Indian fisherman shot dead by Lankan Navy

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Mar 5 (UNI) An Indian fisherman was shot dead allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy at mid-sea off Katchatheevu Island today.

Official sources said the victim was among the four fishermen, who ventured into sea in a mechanised boat off Mandapam north coast early this morning.

It was reported that a Sri Lankan Naval ship allegedly opened fire at the fishermen around 1400 hrs, in which A Christe (35), hailing from Thangachimadam suffered a bullet injury on his neck.

However, other fishermen managed to escape from the firing.

Though the injured fisherman was immediately brought to the shore and rushed to government hospital at Ramanathapuram, he succumbed to his injury en route to the hospital, the sources added.

As the news spread, tension prevailed in the hamlet even as people in large numbers assembled to condemn the incident.

More police personnel were posted in the coastal hamlet to prevent any untoward incident.

UNI GSM AJ RC AS1953