The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 12 Indian fishermen on the banks of the Delft Sea in Jaffna. These fishermen are accused that they violated the maritime boundaries of Sri Lanka while catching fish. The Sri Lankan Navy has also seized the fishermen’s boys. This action can affect the relationship between the two countries.
Giving a statement, the Navy said, “The Sri Lankan Navy seized an Indian fishing boat in the Sri Lankan water area near the Delphat Island of Jaffna and arrested 12 Indian fishermen near the Delft Island of Jaffna and arrested 12 Indian fishermen.” The statement said that Indian fishing people had illegally fishing and came to Sri Lankan water area.
Detained for legal proceedings
The fishermen and the seized boat were brought to the Kankasanthurei port and handed over to the fisheries inspector of Maladi for further legal action. No official statement has come from India on this.
Firing on Indian fishermen
The issue of fishermen remains a controversial issue in India-Sri Lanka relations, even the Sri Lankan Navy personnel have firing on Indian fishermen in Pakistani drainage and seized their boats in many alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan waters.
Where are the fishermen caught?
According to the news of the Times of India, ten of the arrested fishermen are of Karaikal district, one of Nagapattinam and one of Mayiladuthurai. The boat seized by the Navy is of T. Selvam, 44 years of Kottucherry Medu village in Karaikal district.
These fishermen left from Karaikal fishing port in the early hours of Thursday. On Saturday night, they were fishing with other boats to the south of Kodiakarai (Point Calimare). Around 2.40 am on Sunday, Sri Lankan Northern Naval Command personnel faced this group.
