Four TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka for trespassing
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Madurai: Four fishermen from Rameswaram were detained by the Sri Lankan navy in the early hours of Tuesday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in fishing near Talaimannar.
According to officials from the fisheries department, the fishermen - M Thangaraj, 40, T Lingam, 59, K Selvam, 50, and N Irulandi, 50, were part of a larger group that ventured into the sea on Monday evening from the Rameswaram fishing harbour. They were fishing on a mechanised boat owned by M Muniyaswamy when they were intercepted by the Sri Lankan navy near Talaimannar in the early hours of Tuesday.
After being detained, the fishermen were taken to the Talaimannar naval camp and later handed over to the Mannar district fisheries department officials.
They were arrested on charges of crossing the maritime boundary and allegedly using banned fishing nets. They were produced before the Mannar magistrate court, which ordered their remand till Aug 1. The four fishermen are currently lodged at the Vavuniya prison.
According to fisheries department sources, a total of 26 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by Sri Lankan in the past month alone.
J R Jesu Raja, leader of the Rameswaram Fishermen Association, condemned the arrests, stating, "The fishermen had no intention to violate international boundaries and currently 26 fishermen were detained in the past one month. The Sri Lankan navy is harassing them under the pretext of enforcement." He appealed to both the Union and state govts to take a firm stand and ensure the safety of the fishermen.
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The Print
14 hours ago
- The Print
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Business Standard
Indian Embassy in contact with Niger for Ranjit Singh's safe release: MEA
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