SLA attacks fishermen returning to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 November 2006, 19:39 GMT]
Sri Lankan Army (SLA) stationed along the coastal belt of Gurunagar fired at 21 fishermen, returning in six boats from LTTE- controlled Pooneryn and adjoining areas on Wednesday morning, Fisheries Society sources said. No one of was injured in this attack. The fishermen earlier fled to the LTTE controlled area following the break out of fresh violence between LTTE and Sri Lankan Forces on August 11.

SLA soldiers arrested all fishermen when they reached the shore at Gurunagar Jetty and later released after interrogation in the evening.

Fishermen are from Gurunagar, Paasaiyur and Mandaithivu. Last Monday, 46 fishermen returned in 15 fishing boats were also attacked by the SLA and one of the boats caught fire and drowned.

Hundreds of other fishermen stranded in LTTE-controlled Pooneryn area are planning to return to the Peninsula via the lagoon in the next few days but are fearful of SLA's attacks, fishermen society sources added.

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