Chennai, April 3 (BPNS)

Even as the Government of India is extending support to the Sri Lankans, the Navy of the Island nation has shown no mercy towards Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and arrested 12 of them who had inadvertently crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The Sri Lankan authorities arrested the Indian fishermen on Sunday early morning and impounded a mechanized boat of the fishermen.

Fishermen association leaders of Tamil Nadu have condemned the arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Naval authorities.

J. Jesudasan, leader of Fishermen association of Ramanathapuram while speaking to BPNS said, “The Sri Lankan Navy is arresting Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu regularly. We condemn this action by the Sri Lankan Navy strongly. The mechanized boat that was used by the fishermen was also impounded by the Sri Lankans.”

He said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin must intervene in the issue and bring relief to the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

With the arrest of 12 Indian fishermen on Sunday, the number of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are under the custody of the Sri Lankan authorities is 103.

The fishermen from Ramanathapuram and Thangachimadom had ventured into the sea along with other fishermen in different boats on Saturday night.  On  Sunday it was found that one boat had not returned and on inquiry found that the boat was impounded and fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Naval authorities.

Sources told IANS that the arrested fishermen and the boat were taken to Mailadi fishing harbour in Sri Lanka and will be handed over to the fisheries inspector in Jaffna for further action.

The Sri Lankan Navy in a statement on Sunday said that they chased away several Indian fishing boats from the Delft Island area in Sri Lankan territory and one trawler which remained in the sea with 12 fishermen was arrested and their vessel impounded.