Sri Lankan navy opens fire, kills TN fisherman

The Sri Lankan Navy reportedly fire on Rameswaram fishermen, killing one, when they were fishing on the high seas on Monday night.

Around 10 pm, the fishermen at Rameswaram received information that there was a firing at sea creating panic among the fishing community.

"One of our fishermen, K Britso, (22) from Thangachimadam has died in the firing and our fishermen are returning back to shore", said fishermen leader, S Emerit from Rameswaram.

Fishermen leaders P Sesu Raja and Emirat, quoting fishermen who survived the firing in the boat, said that Britso from Thangachimadam suffered bullet injuries on his neck and succumbed to injuries while being brought to shore.

The fishermen were fishing between Danushkodi and Katchatheevu. Four others sustained injuries in the incident.

Though there has been frequent and recurring incidents of fishermen being apprehended and their fishing boats impounded, with the latest instance of 32 fishermen arrested by the Lankan navy during the last two days, this was for the first time in almost five years, a shooting incident has taken place.

The dead body of the 22-year-old has reached Rameswaram and was taken to Rameswaram Government Hospital.