16 TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy

Sixteen fishermen have been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy personnel for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s territorial waters, off Neduntheevu.

Four mechanised boats were also seized around midnight on Monday and all of them were taken to Kankesanthurai early on Tuesday morning, Assistant Director of Fisheries Sekar said in Pudukottai.

He said the naval personnel also chased away fishermen who were fishing between Katchatheevu islet and Arichalmunai.

Fishermen’s Association president T Sesuraja alleged that the Lankan naval personnel chased the fishermen even past Arichalmunai into Indian territorial waters.

“The fishermen could see the Dhanushkodi coast, which meant they were very much in Indian territorial waters.The Sri Lankan Navy men chased them in Indian waters,” he said.

Sesuraja said the Sri Lankan Navy men also snapped the fishing nets of 50 boats.