Missing person in Mannar allegedly murdered by fellow fishermen

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 10 April 2007, 19:36 GMT]
Talaimannar Police arrested a person in connection with the disappearance of a fisherman few days ago in Talaimannar Sea and produced him before the Mannar Magistrate's court Tuesday. Additional Magistrate T.J.Pirapaharan ordered remand for the suspect till April 19. The police made the arrest following a complaint by parents of the missing person that he had been murdered by fellow fishermen and not due to navy firing.

Earlier the fisherman identified as Nelson Tharcius was reported disappeared on April 5 when the Sri Lanka Navy fired at the boat he was travelling with two others.

The suspect identified as Wimal had told the Talaimannar Police that he along with Nelson Tharcius and Rajan transported refugees to Tamilnadu in a fibreglass boat from Pesalai on April 5. The Sri Lanka Navy fired at the boat when they were returning to Pesalai. Nelson Tharcius died due to gunshot injuries. They threw his body into the sea, according to a statement made by the suspect.

However parents of the dead had told the Police that Nelson Tharcius did not die due to navy firing, but was killed by his two fellow fishermen, Wimal and Rajan. The police later recovered a sharp knife buried in a sandbank in Talaimannar Sea. The police are now taking steps to arrest Rajan who is absconding.

Meanwhile on representation made by parents of missing person, Selvam Adaikalanathan, the TNA parliamentarian, has sent an urgent letter to the Inspector General of Police to take immediate steps on the complain.

Chronology: