2,400 fishermen stopped by Lankan navy, asked to return

About 2400 fishermen, who put out to sea from here in 600 mechanised boats, were allegedly stopped in mid-sea off this coastal town by the Sri Lankan Navy early this morning and asked to return.

President of local Fishermen's Association Yesu Raja told reporters here that the Sri Lankan Naval men, who came in four boats warned them at "gunpoint" to return while they were fishing between Dhanushkodi and Katchatheevu and that they had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line.

The Navalmen also cautioned the fishermen not to come to the area in future for fishing, he alleged.

Yesu Raja sought the help of the Coast Guard to identify the IMBL.