Armed Lankan fishermen fishermen abduct 7, demand ransom

Rameswaran: Armed Sri Lankan fishermen abducted seven of their counterparts from Tamil Nadu early Thursday off Kodiakarai and demanded a ransom from their relatives to release them, a top official said.

The fishermen from Pamban had put out to sea in a country boat late last night.

Kennedy said the armed Lankan fishermen abducted them, called up their relatives on their mobile phones and told them they would released only if some money was paid.

They did not specify the amount but said the ransom could be negotiated, he said

Meanwhile, some other fishermen who had set sail in 500 mechanised boats last night, returned empty handed today as Lankan naval personnel chased them away and cut the nets in some boats, he said.