16 Tamil Fishermen injured by Sri Lankan Navy!

16 Tamil Nadu fishermen were injured in an alleged mid-sea attack by Sri Lankan naval personnel, prompting India to take up the issue with Colombo, which said it is investigating the incident. The 16 fishermen from Rameswaram were attacked on Saturday while they were fishing near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in Palk Straits. "Indian Mission in Colombo has taken up the issue of attack on Indian fishermen with Sri Lankan authorities. They have informed that they are investigating the case," an MEA spokesperson said in New Delhi on Sunday. Police in Rameshwaram said the Lankan naval personnel had attacked the fishermen with wooden logs, stones and bottles, resulting in serious injuries. A 25-year-old youth, who suffered a fracture, said it was a "brutal" attack by the Lankan navymen who surrounded 25 boats of the fishermen. "They damaged the boats, snapped the fishing nets and attacked us with logs and stones," he alleged. A Fisheries Department official described the attack as violation of human rights. Earlier on Sunday, Ministry of External Affairs has asked its mission in Colombo to take it up the issue with Sri Lankan authorities.