Q branch police reported that eight Indian fishermen were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly participating in “illegal fishing” in Sri Lankan waters.
The fishermen were captured at 10 p.m. on Monday, 22 nautical miles away from Jagadapattinam, according to the police report. According to the Sri Lankan fishermen association, the Sri Lankan Navy detained ten Indian fishermen in August.
Nine fishermen in a boat travelling from a coastal region of Tamil Nadu were previously detained for allegedly trespassing and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The arrested fishermen from Nagapattinam are being transported to Trincomalee port, according to Rameswaram Police.
Six Indian fishermen were previously saved by the Sri Lankan Navy after their boat drifted into Lankan waters as a result of a malfunction.
Rameswaram-based fishermen from Tamil Nadu entered the water to fish.
From the fishing harbour in Rameswaram, 532 boats departed for the open ocean. However, Sagear Pandian’s vessel had a mechanical issue in the Palk Bay region, which marks the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka.