Relatives identify fisherman's body

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 July 1999, 16:03 GMT]
The relatives of Soosai Alfred, the Indian fisherman killed when his boat was fired on, were brought to Mannar today to identify his body. They were brought to Kacchathivu island by the Indian Navy from Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, South India and transferred to a Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) boat at Pesaalai, Kachchathivu around 12.30 p.m. this afternoon.

The relatives, Tharmaiya Augustine,40, brother of Alfred, Kasmir Wilfred,23, a relative, Amarthaiya Michaeldas,35, an uncle, and Tharmaiya Edwin 46, were taken by SLN Lieutenant Bandara and the police to Mannar Hospital to identify the body.

The police also took their statements.

The men were taken back to Pesaalai at 6.00 p.m. to be transferred back to the Indian navy boat.

Although the fishermen had hoped to take the body back to India with them, they were unable to do so due to the state of Alfred's body, said sources.

The last rites for the Catholic fisherman was performed by a Mannar Catholic priest.

The District Judge Ilancheliyan has instructed the state to pay for Alfred's funeral.

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