Colombo, Dec 08: The Sri Lankan Navy has detained another group of 11 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in the island's territorial waters, officials said today. The fishermen were arrested overnight and handed over to the local police at the islet of Kayts off the northern peninsula of Jaffna.
Besides their three trawlers, the navy seized 180 kg of fish, 11 nets, diesel and outboard motors from the Indian fishermen.
Last week the navy arrested 73 Indian fishermen. A court ordered 61 to be freed, but said the other 12 should be detained to answer charges of poaching.
Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka periodically stray into each others' territorial waters. A narrow strip of sea divides the two south Asian nations.
Bureau Report