98 Lankan fishermen arrested by Coast Guard in last 13 days

CHENNAI: Sixteen Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested for allegedly illegally fishing in Indian waters, taking the total of Lankan nationals held in the last 13 days to 98.

Coast Guard ship ICGS Vishwast arrested the 16 fishermen from two locations -- one batch from 118 nautical miles off Chennai coast and another about 116 nautical miles off Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh -- on December 5, a defence release said here today.

Their three boats were seized under various sections of the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981, the release said, adding all the boats with the Lankan fishermen are being towed to Chennai to be handed over to Tamil Nadu police.

The incident is the latest in a series of arrests of Lankan fishermen by the Coast Guard for allegedly illegally entering and fishing in Indian waters.