Three persons were injured after a violent clash erupted between fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the Bay of Bengal over 'fishing territory'. The conflict began on Monday when a Puducherry fishing boat entered waters where Tamil Nadu fishermen had already set their nets.
The intrusion led to a heated confrontation which quickly escalated into physical violence. In the impact, three fishermen sustained serious injuries during the altercation. The injured were taken to Pazhaverkadu Government Hospital for treatment. One of the injured, identified as Lokesh, was later transferred to the City Government Hospital due to the severity of his injuries, according to a report on India Today.
In response to the incident, the Thirupalaivanam Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Vendors in Pazhaverkadu have closed their shops in protest, condemning the attack on the local fishermen, as per the report.
This is not the first instance of violence between fishermen from these regions. In 2022, a dispute over the use of banned fishing nets in Puducherry led to a stabbing incident, injuring three fishermen. The long-standing tension between fishermen from Nallavaadu and Veerampattinam villages had previously turned violent due to disagreements over fishing practices.
However, the recent clashes highlight the ongoing territorial disputes and the need for effective conflict resolution measures to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of fishermen from both regions.