Sri Lankan Navy stated on Sunday that it arrested 32 Indian fishermen and seized their 5 fishing boats for allegedly venturing into the territorial waters of the island nation.
In an announcement, the Sri Lankan Navy stated the arrests occurred throughout a particular operation within the sea space north of Mannar within the wee hours of Sunday. “The Sri Lanka Navy seized 5 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 32 Indian fishermen whereas they have been poaching in Sri Lankan waters,” the assertion stated.
The Navy continues to conduct common patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb unlawful fishing practices of overseas fishing boats, bearing in mind the influence of these practices on the livelihood of native fishermen, it stated.
The arrested fishermen and their boats have been dropped at the Talaimannar Pier, the place they are going to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for authorized motion. The Navy has to this point this 12 months arrested 131 Indian fishermen and seized 18 fishing boats for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the assertion stated.
Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 10 Indian fishermen and seized their boat for allegedly venturing into the territorial waters of the island nation.
In January, 5 Indian fishermen sustained accidents, together with two critically, in an incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy within the proximity of Delft Island, triggering a powerful response by India. India stated using power just isn’t “acceptable” beneath any circumstances in anyway.
The Indian Excessive Fee in Colombo raised the matter with the Sri Lankan overseas ministry.
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The fishermen subject is a contentious one within the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen within the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in a number of alleged incidents of illegally coming into Sri Lankan territorial waters.
In 2024, the island nation’s Navy arrested 529 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
