Seven Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan Navy

Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 13 (ANI): At least seven Indian fishermen were reportedly been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday for trespassing in Sri Lankan waters.

The fishermen from Mandapam near Rameswaram were fishing at Neduntheevu Island in the Palk Straits, close to the island nation's coast

Two Fast Attack Craft belonging to the Northern Naval Command arrested seven Indian fishermen along with two fishing trawlers for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaged in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan territorial waters about 12.5 Nm and 9.5 Nm off Northwest of Delft Island yesterday (July, 12), Columbo page quoted the navy website.

The arrested fishermen have been brought to the naval base SLNS Uththara in Kankasanthurai while their fishing trawlers and fishing gear have been impounded and kept at SLNS Elara in Karainagar.

The fishermen will be handed over to the Jaffna Assistant Director of Fisheries for further legal action.

Sri Lanka recently passed a bill that allows the authorities to imprison bottom-trawling fishermen for two years and fine Rs. 50,000. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI