Sri Lankan Navy arrests 50 fishermen

Rameswaram: Fifty fishermen from Nagapattinam and Karaikal have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel for allegedly fishing near the Lankan coast.

This is the second time this week that Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Lankan Navy. The fishermen, who were arrested around midnight last night, have been taken to Kankesanthurai along with their five mechanised boats and two country boats, `Q` branch Inspector Kennedy and fishermen`s association secretary S Emirit told a news agency. The fishermen were arrested when they were fishing almost close to the Lankan coast, officials here said. Joint Director of Fisheries Subburaj said they have also received information about the arrest. On July 22, 38 fishermen from Kottaipattinam and Rameswaram were arrested by the Lankan Navy on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Fishermen of Ramanathapuram district have been boycotting fishing since July 24 highlighting their demands including putting an end to frequent "arrests and harassment" by Sri Lankan Navy personnel. Reiterating her government`s `firm commitment` to restore traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay and retrieval of Katchatheevu," Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had last week written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Centre`s intervention in securing the release of the fishermen.