Sri Lankan Navy arrests 12 Indian fishermen

Colombo: At least 12 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday for poaching in its waters, the Navy`s media unit said.

The fishermen were arrested in waters northwest of Thalai-mannar and north of Delft Island. Three fishing trawlers were also taken into custody, Xinhua reported.

The arrested were handed over to the officials of fisheries and aquatic resources department, the navy said.

This is the second arrest in a week as 29 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on December 31 for poaching in the island`s eastern waters.

Sri Lanka and India have been trying to resolve the long-standing fishermen issue with both sides having to face arrests and boats being detained when they stray into each other`s waters.

Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, voicing concerns at recurring instances of such arrests.

The Sri Lankan government however has maintained that it will not allow any Indian fishermen to cross into Sri Lankan waters.