Sri Lankan Navy personnel on Tuesday (23 Dec) arrested at least 12 fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam in Ramanathapuram district on charges of poaching in international waters.
According to the Indian media, The Hindu, their trawler was impounded.
“The 12 fishermen were engaged in fishing between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar waters. A surveillance team from Sri Lanka apprehended them and took them to a Naval port in the island nation, along with their trawler,” Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials said.
On Monday (22 Dec), about 450 tokens were issued to fishermen from the Rameswaram jetty. The trawler impounded by the Sri Lankan Navy is owned by Jothibas of Manthoppu, Thangachimadam. It is said the boat, though not registered with the authorities, had obtained a token. The 12 fishermen include Prabhat (28), James Heiton (29), and Antony (32), officials said.
Expressing concern over their livelihood, fishermen from the region appealed to the State and Union governments to secure the release of the arrested persons. Fishermen’s associations are likely to convene a meeting on Tuesday and discuss the next course of action. (Newswire)