Sri Lanka's navy arrests 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen for violating maritime norms

RAMESWARAM: Sixteen fishermen from Jagadhapattinam in Pudukottai district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of violating the International Maritime Boundary Line this morning, Fisheries Department officials said here.

Fishermen's Association President S Emiret said the fishermen were fishing in Indian waters off Kodiakarai coast.

The fishermen had been taken to Kangensanthurai in Jaffna district along with their three boats.

Meanwhile, Selvaraj, a fisherman, fainted and died in a fishing boat while fishing in the mid sea last night. The cause of the death was not known immediately, Assistant Director of Fisheries Department Ravichandran said.

Some fishermen have been injured when they were attacked by Sri Lankan navy personnel while fishing near Katchativu, an islet ceded by India to Sri Lanka in 1974, late last night. About 20 fishing nets were damaged.

The fishermen, who went for fishing in about 440 boats, were not allowed to fish in the vicinity. The navy personnel also allegedly pelted stones at their boats, he said.