Rameswaram: Three local fishermen Friday
alleged that they were detained by Forest Department officials
while fishing and beaten up while in custody, a claim denied
by forest officials.
Karuppiah (40), his son Selvakumar and another man alleged
in their complaint to the Marine Coastal Police that seven
Forest Department personnel had held them while fishing
yesterday.
While Forest officials said the fishermen were fishing in
Gulf of Mannar Protected area and that they had merely warned
and not detained them, the accused said they were detained
overnight and beaten up instead of being handed over to
police.
The victims alleged that they had "extensive bruises and
whip marks" as a result of the assault.
They also alleged that police had refused to register
their case and they could finally do so with the help of the
District Fisherwomen`s Association.
PTI
