SL Navy apprehends 3 fishermen for crossing IMBL, seize boats

TIRUCHY: The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended three fishermen from Pudukkottai and seized their mechanised boat on charges of crossing the International Maritime Border Line early on Thursday. Sources said as many as 97 mechanised boats from Kottaipattinam fishing harbour ventured into sea on Wednesday evening. While they were fishing off Kottaipanninam, a Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla belonging to Sri Lankan Navy chased away the Indian fishermen claiming to be crossing the IMBL and apprehended three fishermen who were identified as S Sundaram (26), K Ayyappan (30) and N Arul (36) who were fishing in the mechanised boat owned by Ratheesh (38) from Kottaipattinam. The navy also seized their boats and fishing tools. The 3 fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai Harbour and were handed over to Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the information about the arrest spread across the fishing hamlets and they demanded the release of the arrested fishermen. They said that the SL Navy has been continuing their atrocities and demanded the Centre to have talk with the island nation and find a permanent solution.