Sri Lankan Navy arrests 4 fishermen from Pudukkotai

Sri Lankan maritime forces apprehended four Indian fishermen along with a mechanized fishing boat on the alleged charges of violating the Maritime boundary of the Island nation in the wee hours of today. State fisheries department officials quoting preliminary information said the incarcerated fishermen hailed from Jegadhapattinam, a coastal hamlet in Pudukkottai district.

The fishermen were reportedly fishing near Delft Island. The fishermen along with the boat were later taken to Kangesanthurai port and were handed over to the officials of the Department of Fisheries, the officials added.

It might be recalled that last month, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested 14 Tamil fishermen along with three fishing boats. Concurrently, the neighbouring nation had released 126 Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture. Last month, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the release of a total of 37 fishermen and 55 boats, in custody of Lankan officials.