SLN soldiers assault Polikandi fishermen

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 September 2005, 16:56 GMT]
Mr.Iruthayarajah Jesuthas (28) and Mr.Arulprahasam Anton (34), fishermen of Polykandi Friday afternoon complained to fisheries officials that they were severely assaulted by the soldiers of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) when they were fishing in Myliathanai Sea along the coast of Kankesanthurai in Vadamaradchchi division in Jaffna district, sources said.

The fishermen, originally from Palaly area, were displaced when the army occupied Palaly and declared it high security zone.

Currently they are residing in Polykandi, sources said.

Soldiers of the SLN arrested these fishermen and took them into their craft, which was patrolling in the area. Navy personnel also damaged their boat, the fishermen alleged.

SLN personnel allowed these fishermen to return to the shore Friday afternoon. Both fishermen sustained injuries due to the assault, sources said.

These fishermen are now warded in the Valvettithurai government hospital, medical sources said.

Jaffna area command of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) recently allowed the displaced fisher families from Palaly high security zone to resettle in Valalai area and to fish in Myliathanai Sea.