Tension flared in the waters near Dhanushkodi early Monday morning when eight fishermen from Kurumpanai were injured in a mid-sea attack by a group of fishermen from a neighboring area. The incident occurred while the fishermen from Kurumpanai were fishing off the coast of Dhanushkodi in their fiber boat.According to reports, the attackers, who were on six boats from Enayam Puthenthurai, accused the Kurumpanai fishermen of fishing in restricted waters. They surrounded the boat and attacked the fishermen with sharp objects. In the altercation, six mobile phones, GPS devices, and fishing nets belonging to the victims were reportedly thrown into the sea by the attackers.
The injured fishermen were identified as Jegan (41), Aasish (20), Peter (46), Alfie (60), Stepan (70), Saju (34), Binu (28), and Lefith (42). They were immediately taken to the Colachel Government Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for their injuries.
The police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident, which has sparked rising tensions in the fishing community in the area. The authorities are working to resolve the dispute and ensure the safety of the fishermen operating in the region.