Eight Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

The SL Navy and Coast Guard while on routine patrol, arrested eight Indian fishermen and two Indian trawlers engaged in illegal fishing in the seas near Delft Island early yesterday morning, the Navy said.

Navy Spokesperson Captain Akram Alawi said the fishermen, along with the trawlers, would be brought to Karainagar and handed over to the Fisheries Department officials in Jaffna for legal action to be taken.

According to the Indian media report, four fishermen are from Rameswaram and the other four are from Pudukottai.

On November 26, 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested in Sri Lankan waters on charges of allegedly violating the International Maritime Boundary Line.

Chief Minister Jayalalitha sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that same day in a letter, asking for the release of the fishermen and the boats captured by the Lankan Navy.

She said that with the arrests continuing ‘unabated,’ it created a sense of fear and unrest among the community.

She added that 50 boats still remain in Sri Lankan custody after several months.

Navy Spokesperson Captain Akram Alawi said the fishermen, along with the trawlers, would be brought to Karainagar and handed over to the Fisheries Department officials in Jaffna for legal action to be taken