Lankan navy detains 34 Indian fishermen

Sri Lankan navy detained 34 Indian fishermen and their seven boats in the early hours of Tuesday on charges of poaching in the territorial waters of the island nation, marine police sources at Mandapam said. Eleven of the detained fishermen were from Rameswaram while the rest were from Nagapattinam and Jegathapattinam, they said. U Arulanandam of Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen said the detained men were kept in three groups at Talaimannar, Kangesanthurai and Oorkavalthurai naval bases. "There is uncertainty about the number of fishermen held by the Sri Lankan navy. We will get to know the exact number later in the day when the fishermen will be produced before courts in the Island nation," he said. The latest detention has shocked the fisherfolk here who have been waiting for the release of 86 fishermen who had been arrested earlier. Rameswaram fishermen launched a hunger strike on Saturday demanding the release of the fishers and boats from the Sri Lankan custody. They called off the strike after assurance from the Tamil Nadu government about Centre's promise on releasing the fishers. They resumed fishing activities on Monday morning.  (The Times of India)