Six Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

RAMESWARAM: In the second such incident within a week, Sri Lankan Navy today arrested six fishermen on charges of entering into the island nation's territory while fishing near Katchtathivu.

Rameswaram Fishermen Organisation President S Emerite said more than 3500 fishermen from here had ventured into the sea for fishing in 668 mechanised last night.

They were arrested early today after the navy claimed that they were fishing in the Sri Lankan territorial waters, he said, adding all of them were taken to Mannar.

The Navy had on September two allegedly sank an Indian fishing boat by colliding against it near Katchathivu and arrested 15 fishermen from this coastal town in separate incidents on charges of violating IMBL, prompting Chief Minister J Jayalaalithaa to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention to resolve the issue.