Crocodiles attack fishermen

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 20 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Crocodiles attacked two men fishing in a boat in the Paddiruppu lagoon, near Kaluwanchikudy, 25 km south of Batticaloa around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, killing one and ripping off the other's arm, said sources.

The injured man was admitted to Kaluwanchikudy Hospital and then transferred to Batticaloa Hospital.

Two of the deadly reptiles had attacked the fishermen in the dark and dragged one away.

His body was found only in the morning. His companion, who was badly mauled, managed to escape death, but lost his arm.

K. Karunakaran, Divisional Secretary, Kaluwanchikudy, has informed K. Pathmanathan, Government Agent, Batticaloa, of the crocodile menace in the Paddiruppu lagoon and how it was terrorising the 1,500 fishermen in the area.

He asked Mr. Pathmanathan to give permission to the police to shoot the reptiles. Mr. Pathmanthan said he would pass on the message to the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the area, said sources.

Shooting of crocodiles is usually done on moonlit nights when they seek the shore, said sources.

Another fisherman was killed in the Paddiruppu lagoon last week by a crocodile.

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