Ramanathapuram: The Sri Lankan Navy arrested six fishermen from Rameshwaram and Thangachimadam while fishing in the high seas near Nedunthivu. The fishermen were accused of allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters and were taken to the Kranji Naval Camp on Monday.
The arrested fishermen were identified as Thangachimadam A. Ishaq (47), A. Caesarean (43), S. Samadhan Babu (38), and S. Easter has been identified as Arogya Das (43), M. Nishanthan (34) and Murugesan of Rameshwaram. Six fishermen were fishing in the Palk Strait with their two boats.
According to the Rameshwaram Fishermen Association, “Two boats had received fishing permits from the Rameshwaram fishing port and had gone into the sea for fishing near Delft Island in the Palk Strait.” The boats were identified as IND TN 10 MM 769, owned by A. of Susaiyapar Pattinam, Thangachimadam. Isaac and IND TN 10 mm 750, owned by S. of Thangachimadam Anthonyyarpuram. Easter was Arogya Das.
The Sri Lankan Navy caught them on charges of cross-border fishing and are interrogating them at the Jaffna Kangesandurai Naval Camp. Earlier on January 16, the Sri Lankan Navy had arrested 18 Indian fishermen and seized two Indian trawlers that were fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The Navy said the captured Indian fishermen and trawlers were brought to Thalapadu jetty in Mannar and later handed over to the Talaimannar Fisheries Inspectorate for further legal action.
