NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday arrested four fishermen belonging to Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu for catching fish allegedly across the border near Delft Island in Northern Sri Lanka.
Fishermen arrested are K. Parthiban (32), K Sarathy (23), K Murali (42), N Ramadoss (52). The Lankan Navy has confiscated the boat and has taken it to the Kankesanthurai Naval Camp.
The issue of fishermen trespassing into each other’s waters has long been a source of contention between India and Sri Lanka. Incidents of Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen and seizing their boats in the Palk Strait are not uncommon.
The Palk Strait, separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, serves as a prime fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. However, inadvertent trespassing frequently leads to arrests on both sides.
In March this year, the Sri Lankan Navy detained at least 32 Indian fishermen off the coast of Talaimannar and near the islet of Delft for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The Navy had apprehended two Indian trawlers carrying 7 fishermen near Talaimannar. Additionally, naval personnel seized three more Indian trawlers and detained 25 Indian fishermen near Delft Island.
The detained trawlers and fishermen were transported to respective harbors for further legal proceedings.
The two trawlers with 7 fishermen were taken to the Talaimannar Pier, while the remaining three trawlers with 25 fishermen were brought to Kankasanthurai harbour. They are slated to be handed over to Fisheries Inspectors for Mannar and Mailadi for subsequent legal actions.
In 2023 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen and seized 35 trawlers for alleged poaching in Sri Lankan waters. The recurring incidents underscore the ongoing challenges in managing fishing activities and territorial disputes between the two neighboring nations.
(With ANI inputs)
Fishermen arrested are K. Parthiban (32), K Sarathy (23), K Murali (42), N Ramadoss (52). The Lankan Navy has confiscated the boat and has taken it to the Kankesanthurai Naval Camp.
The issue of fishermen trespassing into each other’s waters has long been a source of contention between India and Sri Lanka. Incidents of Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen and seizing their boats in the Palk Strait are not uncommon.
The Palk Strait, separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, serves as a prime fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. However, inadvertent trespassing frequently leads to arrests on both sides.
In March this year, the Sri Lankan Navy detained at least 32 Indian fishermen off the coast of Talaimannar and near the islet of Delft for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The Navy had apprehended two Indian trawlers carrying 7 fishermen near Talaimannar. Additionally, naval personnel seized three more Indian trawlers and detained 25 Indian fishermen near Delft Island.
The detained trawlers and fishermen were transported to respective harbors for further legal proceedings.
The two trawlers with 7 fishermen were taken to the Talaimannar Pier, while the remaining three trawlers with 25 fishermen were brought to Kankasanthurai harbour. They are slated to be handed over to Fisheries Inspectors for Mannar and Mailadi for subsequent legal actions.
In 2023 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen and seized 35 trawlers for alleged poaching in Sri Lankan waters. The recurring incidents underscore the ongoing challenges in managing fishing activities and territorial disputes between the two neighboring nations.
(With ANI inputs)
