Indian fishermen remanded till March 18

The 16 fishermen who were arrested yesterday on the charges of poaching in the western waters were remanded till March 18 by Puttlam District Magistrate today.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government to secure the release of 16 fishermen, who were arrested by the Lankan Navy in mid-sea, The Times of India reported.

"I am pained to point out that the incidents of apprehension and harassment of innocent Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have become a regular occurrence in the past few months creating a feeling of insecurity and fear amongst the fishing community," she said in a letter to the Prime Minister. (Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe)