Colombo. The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 10 Indian fishermen and seized their boats for allegedly fishing in the country’s territorial waters. This information was given in the official release issued on Monday. Earlier, last Saturday also, Sri Lanka had arrested 12 Indian fishermen and seized three of their boats.
The Sri Lankan Navy said in a release that the fishermen were arrested on Sunday off Point Pedro, north of Jaffna, and their fishing boats were seized. According to the release, the 10 captured fishermen were taken to Kanakeshanthurai port and further They were handed over to Melady Fisheries Inspector for action.
The issue of fishermen remains the cause of deadlock between Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lankan Navy personnel even open fire on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seize their boats accusing them of illegally entering Sri Lankan waters and many such incidents have taken place.
The Palk Strait is a narrow stretch of water between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka and is a major fishing area. Last year, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested a total of 240 Indian fishermen and seized 35 of their fishing boats.