Lankan navy arrests 9 TN fishermen

Rameswaram: Nine fishermen from Pudukottai district were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan navy when they were fishing in mid-sea on Sunday, officials said.

It was not known where exactly the fishermen were fishing when they were arrested and taken by the Lankan Navalmen along with their two boats, officials and local fishermen association president Ramakrishnan said. After the arrest, tension prevailed in Jagadapattinam in the district, from where the fishermen ventured into the sea. Their arrest comes two days after 19 fishermen from this island, who were arrested on March 13 and lodged in prison in the neighbouring country, arrived here after a Lankan court ordered their release. The navy had earlier this month arrested 56 fishermen in separate incidents--30 from this island and 26 from Karaikal-- on charges of poaching in the Sri Lankan waters. A Lankan court has extended the remand of the 26 fishermen from Karaikal upto April 19 while the case relating to the arrest of 30 fishermen from Rameswaram on April 6 has been been posted for hearing on April 18. On April 12, six fishermen, who ventured into the sea from Karaikal were injured when they were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan naval men off Kodiakarai coast. PTI