The Sri Lankan Navy personnel on surveillance duty on the Palk Bay area, arrested eight fishermen from Mandapam North base in Ramanathapuram district on Saturday (December 7, 2024) night, on charges of trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Two trawlers belonging to them too were seized near Neduntheevu islet, according to reports.
Fisheries department officials in Mandapam said that about 325 tokens were issued to the fishermen on Saturday morning, following which they ventured into the sea.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the boats belonging to Karthik Raja and Sahaya Andrews were detained. Fishermen from Thangachimadam, Uchipuli, Rettaiyurani, Agasthiyar Koodam and among other locations, who were on the boats were held.
It is said that the Sri Lankan Navy personnel had handed them over to the authorities at Kankesan Navy Port.
Earlier on Wednesday, 14 fishermen from Rameswaram jetty in two trawlers were held by the Sri Lankan Navy on similar charges. While the fishermen associations had announced strike till Sunday (today), the arrest of eight fishermen from Mandapam North base had sent shock waves among the fisherfolks in the coastal district.
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