TN fishermen furious over frequent arrests by Lankan Navy, seek government help

With the Sri Lankan navy arresting six more Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in its waters, the fishermen's body on Thursday sought Central Government's intervention for a permanent solution to the long standing issue.

The fishermen were arrested yesterday for trespassing in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka and two of their trawlers were also seized by the Sri Lankan authorities.

The Sri Lankan navy confirmed the same in a brief press note published on its website.

The fishermen were arrested when they "had been fishing 3.5 nautical miles and 5.2 nautical miles north-west of Kovilan Point."

The Sri Lankan navy had earlier on Tuesday arrested 15 Indian fishermen and seized two boats.

Secretary of Fishermen Association, Kalaikudam Sagayam said that the fishermen were scared and asked the Centre to take strong steps to resolve the issue.

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"A few days back Sri Lanka arrested 15 fishermen and seized our boats and now they have arrested six more fishermen. Despite our state government raising the issue with the federal government no action had been taken in this regard. If this goes on soon all our boats will be in the hands of the Sri Lankan navy," said Sagayam.

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The arrested fishermen and the trawlers were taken to Kareinagar to be handed over to Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Jaffna) for further action.