Sri Lanka arrests 10 Indian fishermen

Rameswaram (TN), January 8

Sri Lanka arrested 10 Indian fishermen who strayed into its waters on Sunday morning.

Four of the fishermen belonged to Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram while the rest were from the state’s Jegadapattinam in Pudukottai district, an official from the fisheries department said.

Their boats were also impounded.

The fishermen from Rameswaram were detained near the disputed Katchatheevu Island on Sunday morning. The others were fishing in Neduntheevu.

Indian fishermen are frequently detained by Sri Lanka for having strayed into their waters.

Sri Lanka has argued that bottom trawling by Indian fishermen has caused extensive damage to their marine ecosystem.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fishermen's Association General Secretary NJ Bose said has warned of protests if the central government failed to solve the problem.

A 34-year-old Tamil Nadu fisherman was injured when he was allegedly attacked by the Lankan navy for fishing off Neduntheevu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5 urging him to take up the issue at the "highest diplomatic level".