12 Indian fishermen arrested in Diego Garcia

KANYAKUMARI: Twelve fishermen from the district have been arrested by the British Coast Guard in Diego Garcia on charges of poaching in their waters, according to a report received here today.

They were arrested a few days back while fishing in the deep sea, Tamil Nadu Fishermen Development Trust President B Justin Antony said.

The Fisheries Department officials also confirmed the arrests.

The Coast Guard personnel had also seized their GPS equipment and fishing nets, Anthony said.

The arrested fishermen were Shibu, Christurajan, Sudan, Aruleesan, Ratheesh, Ubald, Winro, Melmidalam, Mariadasan, Philas, Prasad, Nishanth. They had left in a fishing trawler from Kochi on April 10.