Fishermen death sentence: Train tracks damaged, houses burnt in TN

Updated: Friday, October 31, 2014, 10:42 [IST]

Chennai, Oct 31: A day after the Sri Lankan government announced capital punishment for 5 Tamil fishermen on charges of smuggling drugs, fishermen in Ramananthapuram went on a rampage burning houses and damaging railway tracks.

Reports suggest fishermen forced passengers from one private bus to get off and then burnt the bus. Some fishermen even damaged railway tracks protestsing the judgement and also blocked traffic on the highways.

Reports suggest that there were some stone-pelting incidents too.

Following the incidents of protests, security has been beefed up in Chennai and other parts in TN.

Security at the Sri Lankan High Commission too was increased following the violent incidents. Trains from Ramaeshwaram to Chennai were cancelled while bus to Ramananthapuram were also suspended for a while.

Sri Lanka on Thursday, Oct 30, gave death penaly to five Indian fishermen who were arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs in the country.

MEA's Syed Akbaruddin said that they will take up the matter diligently and that the Indian high commission is pursuing the issue about the capital punishment with Sri Lanka.

The fishermen can appeal against the verdict by 14th November, 2014.

In Tamil Nadu

A day after the Sri Lankan government announced capital punishment for 5 Tamil fishermen on charges of smuggling drugs, fishermen in Ramananthapuram went on a rampage burning houses and damaging railway tracks.

In Tamil Nadu

Reports suggest fishermen forced passengers from one private bus to get off and then burnt the bus. Some fishermen even damaged railway tracks protestsing the judgement and also