Eleven Tamil fishermen arrested by Lankan navy

RAMESHWARAM (TN): Eleven Tamil Nadu fishermen were today arrested by Sri Lankan naval personnel while fishing near Neduntheevu of the island nation.

The fishermen from this town were detained this evening and taken to Kangesanthurai Port along with their two boats, police and state Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association leader P Sesuraja said.

The Sri Lankan navalmen also chased away hundreds of other fishermen by allegedly pelting bottles and stones and warning through public address system, they said.


Around 3,500 fishermen in 634 boats had put out to sea from here last night.

Voicing concern over the latest arrests, Sesuraja said already nine fishermen, arrested earlier, were languishing in Lanka prisons while 115 impounded boats were yet to be released.

The central government should intervene effectively and ensure that the fishermen were allowed to carry on their livelihood.