NAFSO condemned the brutal Navy attack on Nachchikudah Fishermen

Fisher people leaders, Small fishers, Catholic church leaders, Civil Society Leaders and NGOs, cooperative leaders came together to register their protest against the brutal attack on Pallimunai fishermen at Nachcikudah sea area last week by Navy.
One of a fisherman is now in Jaffna hospital after the attack and he is still continuing the treatment there.
There were 5 in the Navy when the incident happened and one among them in Navy uniform hence, the organizers of the media briefing revealed that the involvement of Navy could be proved.

"We learned that the fishermen who engaged in illegal and harmful fishing activities got the attack. But, what ever the fishing gear used there, the brutal attack can not be accepted at any cost. We condemn this brutal attack and urge all concerned and responsible parties to take necessary legal and other possible actions to bring those culprit to the court. After all, we are living in a Good Governance Government which we brought in to power. We hope President and Prime Minister should take necessary steps to make justice to the community." said M.M. Alam, the chairperson of Mannar district Fisheries Society Federation.

At the media briefing, Antony Jesudasan, the coordinator, people to People Dialogue on Peace and Sustainable development[PPD], said, "Government should take all possible steps to stop all the destructive fishing gears from SL waters. But, it should not be violated the basic human rights through harassments and brutal attacks. Those were during the time of MR regime and we do not expect this to continue during the Maithripala Sirisena government. We can not tolerate this at all. Government and Navy should take action against this and aplogies as well as compensate the victims."

The catholic priests who were there at the media briefing, said, "We can not tolerate this type of brutal attacks to fishermen any more. We expect they have the right to engage in fishing in sustainable manner. Of course, we are concern of resource sustenance. We are continuouly monitor these type of action and will meet relevant authorities to have justice."

After the meeting, the fisher people and priests approached the Northern Province Fisheries Minister Mr. Dineshwaran and register their concerns over the livelihood security and people's basic human rights as alienable, universal, indivisible rights of the communities.