Lankan fishermen remand extended

4 January 2014 06:54 am

The Ramanathapuram Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Tamil Nadu on Friday extended the judicial remand of 59 Sri Lankan fishermen till January 10.

They were arrested by the Tharuvaikulam Marine police in Tuticorin during September-November last year for alleged illegal fishing in Indian waters off Kanyakumari.

CJM N. Dharman extended the judicial remand of the fishermen, presently lodged in Puzhal central prison near Chennai, using videoconferencing facility on Friday.

Five fishermen hailing from Negombo were arrested by the Marine police on September 18, 26 fishermen from Puttalam district on October 9, 24 fishermen also from Puttalam district on October 30 and four fishermen from Kalutara district on November 6.

They were arrested by the police after the Indian Coast Guard apprehended them and seized their 10 trawlers.

The police sought extension of remand of the fishermen, stating that investigations were yet to be completed in the cases. (The Hindu)