Sri Lankan navy attacks fishing trawlers, detains 7 TN men

Local fishers, who reached the shores here on Tuesday said, when they were engaged in fishing activities near the Katchatheevu Island, bordering the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on Monday midnight, when the Sri Lankan Navy attacked them and destroyed fishing nets of several boats cast on high seas.

They also warned us to leave the zone, or else face consequences, they said. Following the warning, the fishermen winded up fishing activities and returned with poor catch. Meanwhile, Fisheries officials said the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended seven fishermen on board a fishing trawler and took them to Kankesanthurai port for interrogation.

The fishermen were reportedly fishing near the Delft Island when they were incarcerated by the Lankan Navy. More than 2,000 fishermen had ventured into the sea for fishing from Rameswaram on Monday morning.

Last month alone, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 24 fishermen and impounded five boats belonging to Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai district for cross-border fishing.

It may be recalled that seven Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on July 28 for allegedly poaching in the island nation’s waters, officials said. The fishermen have been taken to Lankan Navy camp at Mannar in Kerala for further interrogation. On July 25, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested four Indian fishermen for allegedly breaching International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and illegally fishing in Colombo’s waters.