Indian poachers arrested in joint raids

By Dayaratne Embogama  

A group of 34 Indian poachers in Sri Lankan waters have been arrested during joint raids carried out by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Coast Guard Department for the last two days. The three multi-day trawlers belonging to the Indian fishermen had also been seized.   A senior official of the Coast Guard Department said they were carrying out raids with the help of the Navy to prevent poaching within Sri Lanka’s sea limits and to protect the local fisherfolk.   

He said the North Central Naval Command had located several Indian trawlers in the sea off Talaimannar and had driven them away.   

The 34 suspected Indian poachers were to be handed over to the Kilinochchi Fisheries Department Office yesterday.