- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 27 Oct 2024 08:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 12 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in its territorial waters while fishing, according to a press statement released by the Navy. The Sri Lankan Navy's Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft to intercept Indian fishing boats found poaching near Point Pedro. This operation led to the seizure of one boat and the arrest of Indian fishermen.
The detained boat and fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai Harbour and will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further legal action.
The Pak Strait, which separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, has become a site of conflict between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen due to its abundant fish resources.
The statement reads, “The Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft to send away a cluster of Indian fishing boats, having spotted they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Point Pedro. The operation resulted in the seizure of 01 Indian boat and apprehension of 12 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.”
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“The seized boat together with Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings,” it added.
110 Indian Fishermen Remain Detained In Sri Lanka
The fishermen issue has been a longstanding and delicate aspect of India-Sri Lanka relations. This recent arrest brings the total number of Indian fishermen apprehended by Sri Lanka this year to 462.
Around 110 Indian fishermen are currently detained in Sri Lanka, including 16 from Rameswaram arrested on October 23. Chief Minister M K Stalin recently appealed to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for intervention to secure their release and the return of their boats.