Manmohan Singh asks Mahinda Rajapaksa to treat fishermen issue in 'humane manner'

NAY PYI TAW: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked President Mahinda Rajapaksa to deal with the issue of Indian fishermen in a humane manner, even as Sri Lankan Navy arrested 32 Indians for allegedly poaching in the country's waters.

Singh today met Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit here.

The Prime Minister raised the issue of Indian fishermen caught by Sri Lankan navy for allegedly violating their territorial waters.

"The prime minister said it (the fishermen issue) was a livelihood issue and must be handled in a humane manner by Sri Lanka," Indian foreign office spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a briefing after the 25-minute meeting.

At least 32 Indian fishermen were arrested yesterday by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters off the coast of the Delft islet in Jaffna.

Their eight trawlers were seized, a Sri Lankan Naval spokesman said.

The fishermen were being taken to the port of Kankesanturai to be handed over to the fisheries surveillance officials, he said.

The frequent arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy has become a major irritant in bilateral ties.