Court remands 21 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Twenty-one Indian fishermen who were apprehended by Sri Lankan fishermen while allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters were handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy yesterday. The Navy also took into custody two fishing trawlers that had been used by the Indian fishermen.  

The Navy arrested the fishermen and handed them over to Fisheries officials in Jaffna for further action. The Fisheries officials produced the suspects before the Point Pedro Magistrate's Court. They were remanded till February 7.

One of the arrested fisherman was found to be positive for COVID-19 and he has been sent to a quarantine centre. 

Tensions have been growing in recent days between Northern fishermen and Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu. Earlier this week, the bodies of two Northern fishermen were found. Relatives of the victims and other Northern fishermen allege that the fishermen had drowned after their boat was rammed by Indian fishing vessels poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Several mid-sea clashes have also been reported between fishermen from the two countries. (PCK)