Colombo, July 29: Four Indian fishermen who have been held in prison since March for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters are refusing food, saying they will not eat until they are sent home, police said today. The boatmen were among 17 who were detained in March. Thirteen were subsequently repatriated to India, but the remaining four, who apparently owned the four boats, were held to face prosecution.

India and Sri Lanka agreed in March that crews working on Indian boats found in Sri Lankan waters would be handed over to Indian authorities. But each boat's captain or owner would face prosecution. They face jail terms of up to five years for illegally entering and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The four men have refused food since Sunday, the superintendent of Jaffna prison, where the men are being held, told a court yesterday.

The four are demanding that the Indian High Commission in Colombo take immediate steps to send them home.

Bureau Report