Picture used for representational functions solely
| Picture Credit score: M. Moorthy

In a sequence of separate mid-sea incidents on Friday (Might 2, 2025), not less than 14 fishermen from Nagapattinam district had been allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan nationals, who got here in a number of boats and assaulted them with iron rods, knives, PVC pipes, and bamboo poles. A number of of the injured had been admitted to the Nagapattinam Authorities Medical Faculty Hospital.

In line with official sources, 4 assaults passed off between Friday afternoon and evening within the waters off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu.

Within the first incident, 5 fishermen from Akkaraipettai, who had set out from the fishing harbour in a fibre boat at 8 a.m. on Might 1, had been attacked round 6 p.m. on Might 2. The assault occurred 30 nautical miles southeast of the Kodiyakarai coast. Six Sri Lankan nationals in two fibre boats allegedly boarded the vessel, attacked the crew with iron knives and golf equipment, and looted all technical gear on board.

Later, a fibre boat from Vellapallam carrying 5 fishermen was attacked round 8 p.m., whereas they had been fishing 15 nautical miles southeast of Arukattuthurai. Six individuals, a part of a bunch of 15 Sri Lankan nationals aboard 4 boats, reportedly surrounded the vessel, boarded it, and assaulted the crew with PVC pipes and bamboo poles. Two Yamaha engines and different gear had been stolen.

Across the identical time, the third incident occurred, with six Sri Lankan nationals in two boats attacking a fishing crew from Seruthur village. 4 fishermen on board the vessel had been assaulted and their gear looted. The precise particulars of the objects stolen had been but to be verified.

A fourth incident is at the moment underneath investigation. The fishermen concerned are anticipated to return to shore by mid-day Saturday.

Preliminary stories point out that 14 fishermen from Akkaraipettai, Vellapallam, and Seruthur had been attacked roughly by 16 Sri Lankan nationals working from 4 fibre boats. The Nagapattinam Marine Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.