The marine police of the Indian Coastal Security Group (CSG) have registered an attempt-to-murder case against the Sri Lankan Navy for sinking a fishing boat and forcing five fishermen to jump into the sea on Thursday.
On a complaint lodged by A. Baviyan, on whose name the sunken boat was registered (IND TN 10 MM 038), the marine police have registered an FIR charging the Sri Lankan Navy with Sections 3 and 4 of the Tamil Nadu Property (prevention of damage and loss) Act, 25 of the Arms Act and 307 of Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder), V. A. Jothibasu, Sub Inspector of Police, Mandapam marine police, said.
Though the boat was registered in Baviyan’s name, it was operated by A.Edison, who had bought the boat but yet to change the registration in his name. The fishermen case was that they were fishing on the high seas around 1.30 a.m. on Thursday when a Lankan Navy rammed and sunk the boat.
The navy fled from the scene after switching off the lights, they said. Five fishermen who were on board, jumped into the sea in a bid to escape and they were rescued by fellow fishermen fishing nearby, they said.
Meanwhile, only 304 out of about 700 boats in the jetty availed permits to venture into the sea for fishing on Saturday. – The Hindu
