A fisherman, V. Balasekar (42) of Sulerikattukuppam, died after his catamaran capsized near the coast at Sulerikattukuppam on Saturday morning.
According to the police, the accident took place around 5 a.m. when the Balasekar ventured into the sea for fishing. He had spread the fishing net near the coast, just a few yards away from a spot where boulders had been dumped near the 100-mld reverse osmosis desalination plant set up by Chennai Metrowater. The rocks had been placed to form a pier to reduce the undercurrent near the plant. The net got entangled in the boulders due to rough sea conditions and when Balasekar attempted to release the net, the catamaran capsized. According to the complaint filed by his wife Maheswari with the Mamallapuram police, he was strangulated by the net’s wire, which led to his death.
Earlier on July 10, another fisherman, Chittibabu (26) of the same area, sustained head injuries after his fibre boat capsized over the boulders. According to activist Nityanand Jayaraman, till date, the Mammallapuram police have refused to register an FIR in Chittibabu’s case.
