Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 181 Indian fishermen so far this year
This includes the seizure of an Indian fishing boat and seven Indian fishermen during an operation yesterday, the navy said in a statement.
They were arrested off the Delft Island, Jaffna, in Sri Lanka's Northern province. The navy said the seized boat and the fishermen were handed over to the fisheries officials for further legal proceedings.
The report comes as seven additional fishermen from Rameshwaram were detained by Colombo.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged New Delhi to act upon this immediately, as the central government is in talks with authorities in Sri Lanka to immediately release the fishermen
The Sri Lankan navy reiterated that it continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to prevent illegal fishing by foreign vessels, citing concerns over its impact on the livelihoods of local fishermen.
In just the past two weeks, over 15 Indian fishermen have been arrested on the same charges, and have been put into extended judicial custody post initial hearings.
The Rameshwaram Fishermen Association has called the accusations by the Sri Lankan Navy false, stating that it is harassing local fishermen from Tamil Nadu and affecting their livelihoods.
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