Nine Sri Lankan fishermen arrested

Nine Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard for allegedly fishing in Indian waters off Kodiyakarai in the State of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

Joint director of fisheries department Suburaj said the Indian Coast Guard also seized their two boats. 

The fishermen were later taken to Karaikal to be produced before a court, he said. 

Meanwhile, four Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly beaten up by Sri Lankan naval personnel off Katchatheevu. 

S Sagayam, president of Rameswaram fishermen Association said that the four were part of about 2,000 who had put out to sea last night from here in 568 boats. 

He claims the naval personnel came to the spot in fast boats, attacked the four with plastic pipes, cut the fishing nets of 20 boats and chased them away. 

They also snatched the GPS equipment and cellphones from the fishermen, he charged.

Source: PTI

-Agencies