CHENNAI:In a fresh set of arrests ten fishermen from the State were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on grounds of trespassing into territorial waters.

Three mechanised boats were also seized by the Lankan Navy personnel. The arrests were made on Wednesday night when the fishermen were reportedly fishing near north Mannar and Neduntheevu.

Initially, four fishermen aboard a boat were held near north Mannar and six others on board two other boats were arrested late into the night near Neduntheevu, according to people privy to the incidents.

The arrested fishermen set out to sea off Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district on Wednesday after obtaining a permit from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department.

Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association president VP Sesuraja lamented that the fishermen are once again facing the threat of paying fines beyond their financial abilities.

Fishermen community frustrated over such repeated arrests are said to be mulling a huge protest against PM Modi, pressing their concerns, once he lands for launching the new Pamban bridge.