50 Indian fishermen arrested

Fifty Indian fishermen from Nagapattinam found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Point Pedro Monday night, the Navy said.

Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said seven fishing vessels had also been confiscated.

He said the fishermen had violated the International Maritime Boundary Line and were using the illegal method of bottom trawling.

“The fishermen together with their trawlers brought to KKS harbour and they would be handed over to the fisheries authorities in Jaffna for legal action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Indian media reported the fishermen had frequently complained about the harassment that they go through without any effective measure being implemented. On Monday fishermen held a demonstration in Tamil Nadu.(DS)