Sri Lankan navy detains 11 Indian fishermen for poaching

MADURAI: The Sri Lankan navy apprehended 11 Indian fishermen and their fishing trawler on charges of poaching in their territorial waters in the early hours of Thursday. The trawler was among those that embarked on a fishing expedition from Rameswaram fishing jetty on Wednesday morning.
According to the Sri Lankan navy, the Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters on Wednesday night. In response, the Northern Naval Command deployed its craft to drive away the Indian fishing boats from island waters, off Delft Island.
The operation resulted in the seizure of one Indian boat and the apprehension of eleven Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The seized boat and Indian fishermen were brought to Kankasanthurei Harbour and handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mailadi for onward legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the arrest of Indian fishermen, stating that the Sri Lankan navy continues to cripple the livelihood of Indian fishermen. He urged the Union govt to convene bilateral talks between the two countries to resolve the issue once and for all.