Arson attack in Naayaa'ru by intruding Sinhala fishers causes 5 million in damage

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 14 August 2018, 08:03 GMT]
The associations of Eezham Tamil fishermen in Naayaa'ru in Mullaiththevu have tentatively estimated the property damage caused by the arson attack carried out by the intruding Sinhala poachers Monday night into 5 million rupees. The representatives of the fisheries associations said they had restrained the Tamil fishermen, who are provoked by the violent act, which seems to be a premeditated one. The attack has come in the aftermath of the assurances made by SL Minister of Fisheries Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa that his ministry would revoke the licenses of the intruding fishermen from the outside districts. If he fails to implement his promise, the situation would be out of control beyond, they said.

The SL Police is recording eyewitness statements from the affected fishermen on Tuesday morning.

However, the SL Police was seen giving protection to the arson attackers, Tamil fishers at Naayaa'ru said. SL Army and Navy personnel wearing civilian clothes have also been deployed to protect the arson attackers, they accused.

The Tamil civil officials from Mullaiththeevu District Secretariat and Karai-thu'raip-pattu Divisional Secretariat said they are not allowed to intervene and are just standing by and watching what is going on as the situation is out of their control.



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