Over 3,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by Sri Lanka Navy personnel when they were fishing near Katchatheevu island, a fishermen association leader said here on Tuesday.

The fishermen, who were out in the sea in over 500 boats on Monday night, were catching fish near Katchatheevu in the island nation’s waters when the Lanka navy personnel came in 10 boats and drove them away, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fishermen Association general secretary N.J. Bose said.

He also alleged the navy men snapped the fishing nets of 50 boats and the fishermen had to return to the shore without a catch.

This is the second such incident in the month. On December 6, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel had chased away fishermen while they were fishing near Katchatheevu island.