Sri Lankan Navy arrests 28 fishermen on charges of crossing IMBL

RAMESWARAM: Sri Lankan Navy personnel today arrested 28 Indian fishermen on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in their territory.

The fishermen belonged to Pudukottai, Pamban and Tuticorin and they were taken to Kangesanthurai port, Assistant Director of Fisheries Department Gopinath said.

One mechanised boat and two country boats of the fishermen were also seized by the navy personnel, he said.

This is the fourth detention of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy this month on the charge of fishing in the island nation's waters.

Eight fishermen were arrested on March 3, while 29 others on March 6 and another batch four on March 10 by the Sri Lankan Navy at different locations in mid sea.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for appropriate actions for a permanent solution to the recurring arrests.

She had also sought the Centre's intervention for the release of all the arrested Indian fishermen and their fishing boats in the custody of Sri Lanka.