Eight TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

The fishermen from Akarapettai in Nagapattinam district, who put out to sea in a mechanised boat, were arrested on charges of poaching fish in Lanka's territorial waters, Assistant Director of Fisheries Department - Nagapattinam Gangadhar said.

The fishermen were taken to Parunthithurai, he added.

Thirteen fishermen from the state were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on November 2 when they were allegedly fishing near Neduntheevu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had on October 27 urged the Centre to take steps to secure the release of 54 fishermen and 140 fishing boats from Sri Lanka.