Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy

At least 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen from the Pudukkottai district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday.

According to sources, while fishing near Neduntheevu, the Sri Lankan Navy, which was patrolling the area, arrested 22 fishermen on a charge of cross-border fishing. They also seized three barges/mechanised boats.

Subsequently, the arrested fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai Naval Camp for questioning and then produced before the local court in Sri Lanka.

The local court judge ordered that all arrested fishermen should be remanded in judicial custody till March 22.

There have been regular instances of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

A similar incident happened in January when the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 10 fishermen and seized their trawler for allegedly poaching in Sri Lanka’s waters.