13 Rameswaram fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

The fishermen had started from Rameswaram on Saturday and when they were fishing near Katchatheevu they were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. The arrested fishermen were identified as Irudhayaraj, Christuraj, Baskaran, Micheal Birathan, Pivinson, Thuthiyon, Arulanandham, Dona, Seemon, Thibakar, Hareesh, Ashwin and Jebasthiyon. All the 13 are from Thangachimadam coastal village near Rameswaram. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the fishermen in two trawlers were arrested for fishing in the Sri Lankan territorial waters northeast of Katchatheevu island. 

The arrested men were taken to Kankesanthurai Port and the boats were taken to Kareinagar. They were then handed over to Fisheries Department at Jaffna. After inquiry, they were produced in Oorkavalthurai Court and remanded till January 9. Attacked by Lankan Navy Meanwhile, a section of fishermen was attacked by Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday night. It is said while they were casting their nets near Katchatheevu, a small attack craft of Sri Lankan Navy had warned them to move away. While they were preparing to return, all of a sudden they were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy men forcing them to retreat.