Fisherman drowned after falling into sea

A 43-year old fisherman from nearby Pamban drowned when he lost balance and fell into the sea from his country boat today, police said.
The mishap occurred in the sea off the island coast this morning when he was pulling the fishing net, they said.
He was among hundreds of country boat fishermen who put out to sea after a nine-day long strike to protest mechanised boat owners using banned fishing nets.