More than 30 fishermen from Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district were reportedly attacked by Sri Lankan pirates on Friday while fishing off the Coromandel coast.
Seventeen fishermen sustained injuries during the assault.
The fishermen, who had ventured out in a fibre boat, stated they were southeast of Kodiyakkarai when six men in a speedboat approached them. The attackers assaulted the fishermen with sharp weapons.
They also allegedly looted GPS equipment and fishing nets, estimated to be worth around Rs 10 lakh. The pirates then targeted other boats nearby.
The injured fishermen were admitted to the District Government Hospital after returning to shore. Gajendran, a fisherman from Serudhur, expressed his shock, claiming the attack took place within Indian territorial waters.
He said, "Sri Lankan pirates attacked us, and several fishermen are now hospitalised. We urge both the state and central governments to intervene. We are currently on strike, and if such attacks continue, we will launch an indefinite protest."
This attack comes after a similar incident in December when three Tamil Nadu fishermen were attacked and robbed by Sri Lankan pirates, sustaining injuries from sharp weapons. The fishermen are now calling for stronger protection and government intervention to prevent further attacks.
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