Fresh arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen, hours after they apprehended 36 fishermen hailing from a village in Pudukottai district and this coastal town yesterday while fishing near Neduntheevu and Katchatheevu islet, a fisheries department official said.

While the 11 fishermen were arrested last midnight, 36 fishermen were apprehended yesterday morning on charges of crossing IMBL, Gopinath, Assistant Director of Rameswaram Fisheries Department and T Sesuraja, Rameswaram Fishermen Organisation President said. The navy personnel, who came in ships, also fired in the air threatening the fishermen to leave the area. They also sank a mechanised boat worth about Rs 40 lakh besides damaging several crafts and fishing nets, they said.

All the arrests fishermen were taken to Thalaimannar and Kankesanthurai to be produced in courts. 

Sri Lankan Navy personnel had arrested 82 fishermen on June 7 after they allegedly entered the island nation waters. However, they were ordered to be released by President Mahinda Rajapakse in a goodwill gesture. 

Indian Coast Guard has repatriated 680 fishermen since January this year.

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