20 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy

RAMESWARAM: Twenty local fishermen were today arrested by Sri Lankan Navy when they were fishing near Katchatheevu, an islet in the Palk Strait, fishermen representatives said.

The navy personnel also allegedly cut the fishing nets of about 50 boats and threw them into the sea. They also pelted stones and bottles at many boats and damaged them besides threatening fishermen not to fish in the area, S Emerite and T Sasuraja, fishermen organisation representatives said.

Fishermen in 647 boats from here had ventured in to the sea this morning and when they were fishing near Katchateevu, Lankan naval personnel arrested 20 fishermen, they said.

The fishermen along with their four boats have been taken to Kankesanthurai, they said.

On February 1, 19 Indian fishermen were arrersted and five boats seized when they were allegedly fishing in Lankan waters.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the Tamil Nadu assembly today that after last week's cordial talks held in Chennai between fishermen of India and Sri Lanka over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, the next round of discussions would be held in Sri Lanka where amicable decisions would be taken.