Tamil Nadu Fishers Robbed at Sea in Alleged Attack by Sri Lankan Nationals

 Trichy, April 17, 2025 — In a concerning maritime incident, two groups of fishermen from Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts were reportedly attacked and robbed at sea by unidentified assailants believed to be from Sri Lanka. The incidents occurred late Wednesday night while the fishermen were operating near Kodiyakarai, approximately 12 nautical miles southeast of the coast.

The two affected crews, comprising eight members in total, had departed for fishing in fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) motorized boats on April 15. One group from Seruthur village in Keelaiyur block, Nagapattinam district included K. Govindasamy, G. Ramesh, V. Vetri, and G. Ravi. The second group, hailing from Pudupettai and Thiruvenkadu villages in Mayiladuthurai district, included S. Ramakrishnan, G. Senthil, K. Jegan, and D. Samuel. The latter had been based in Kodiyakarai for the past several months.

Around 10 p.m. on April 16, both fishing groups were targeted in separate attacks at sea by unidentified men in boats, allegedly of Sri Lankan origin. The attackers forcibly took essential fishing and navigational equipment, including GPS devices, transceivers, mobile phones, batteries, fishing rods, and torchlights. In addition, several kilograms of freshly caught fish and a 40-horsepower outboard engine from the Seruthur boat were seized before the perpetrators fled the scene.

Despite the theft, the Seruthur crew managed to return to shore using a spare engine in the early hours of Thursday, while the Mayiladuthurai group landed at Kodiyakarai. Some members of the latter group sustained internal injuries during the confrontation and were admitted to Nagapattinam Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Marine police in Vedaranyam have registered two separate cases in connection with the incidents. An investigation is currently underway.

The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of Indian fishermen operating near international maritime borders and highlights the urgent need for enhanced coastal surveillance and bilateral engagement between India and Sri Lanka to prevent such transboundary crimes.