Sri Lankan Navy arrested 8 Indian fishermen, accused of entering Sri Lankan border – Sri Lankan Navy arrested 8 Indian fishermen accused of entering Sri Lankan border ntc
Sri Lankan Navy has arrested eight Indian fishermen. On Sunday, the Sri Lankan Navy said it has arrested eight Indian fishermen and seized two fishing trawlers for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s territorial waters.
A press statement said the arrests were made during a special operation conducted in the maritime area north of Mannar on Saturday night. The statement said that with these arrests, 18 Indian fishermen have been arrested so far this year and three trawlers have been seized.
The Navy said, ‘Late on January 11, the North Central Naval Command observed a group of Indian fishing boats fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters. In response, the Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft and North Central.
In its operation, Sri Lankan Navy seized 2 Indian fishing boats present in Sri Lankan waters and 8 Indian fishermen were arrested.
The Navy said the seized boats with Indian fishermen were brought to Iranativu Island and will be handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Kilinochchi for further legal proceedings.
The issue of fishermen is a contentious issue in relations between India and Sri Lanka, with Sri Lankan Navy personnel even firing on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and damaging their boats in several alleged incidents of illegal entry into Sri Lankan territorial waters. Confiscated.
529 Indian fishermen arrested in 2024
The Palk Strait, a narrow strip separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a very suitable fishing spot for the fishermen of both the countries. Fishermen from both countries often unknowingly enter each other’s territory, after which the Navy arrests them. In 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 529 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in its waters.
