Tamil Nadu: Indonesian Marine Police Arrest Eight Kanyakumari Fishermen

The Indonesian marine police also took away the fishing tools, GPS, a compass, mobile phone and 700 kgs of fish from the arrested Indians. 

The arrested fishermen | Credit: ABP Nadu

Chennai: Indonesian Marine police arrested eight fishermen from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu for reportedly fishing in their territorial waters. 

According to a report on UNI, Tamil Nadu fisheries officials said, the fishermen had set again into the sea from Andaman Islands for fishing in mechanised trawlers. However, the Marine and Air Police Directorate of Aceh Provincial Police of Indonesia, who identified the Indian boat while they were fishing at 18 nautical miles from Lhoong Beach in Aceh Besar district, arrested them on Monday. 

The arrest was made since they did not hold permission to catch fish in Indonesian territory. All the fishermen were produced before the court and were sent to prison.

The Indonesian marine police also took away the fishing tools, GPS, a compass, mobile phone and 700 kgs of fish, said the report. The fishermen had also caught various sharks and dolphins. 

The arrested fishermen were identified as Joshan Das, Immanuel and Sijen among others. All the fishermen are natives of Thuthoor in Kanyakumari. In the district, fishermen venture into the sea for 30-60 days. In a similar long journey from Andaman harbour, the arrest has been made, said a report on ABP Nadu.

Following the information of arrest, the fishermen association in Kanyakumari appealed to the Union and state governments to take steps to release the eight fishermen.

The arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen also comes amid arrests by Sri Lankan fishermen for reasons including crossing IMBL.