RAMESWARAM (T.N.), September 14: Sri Lankan Navy personnel allegedly attacked Indian fishing boats and damaged more than 100 nets near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the early hours on Sunday, fishermen association representatives said in Rameswaram.

Fisheries department officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said most of the fishermen and boats returned empty-handed today.

Fishermen, who ventured into the sea in 618 boats, had to return empty-handed this morning as the Sri Lankan Navy had deployed its vessels, including two ships with cannon and machine guns, much inside Indian waters and refused to allow them even near the IMBL, Fishermen’s Association president T. Sesuraja and Secretary S. Emiret alleged.

The Naval personnel allegedly attacked the boats and snapped more than 100 fishing nets around 2 a.m.

They said if the government was not able to provide protection, they could at least provide them some other employment, they said.

Fisheries department officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said most of the fishermen and boats returned empty-handed today.