Srilankan navy arrest 35 Indian fisherman

At least 35 Indian fishermen were arrested by Srilankan Navy for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary, government sources said Monday. The source said all the fisherman belong to India's southern state of Tamil Nadu and were fishing in Talaimannar and Dhanushkodi in the Palk Strait bordering Srilanakan waters. Sources further said the Srilankan Navy has also seized four boats belonging to fishermen. Srilankan media reported that it was naval patrol craft attached to the North Western Naval Command which arrested the 35 Indian for what they claimed were engaged in illegal fishing in the seas north of Kalpitiya. The reports further said that the Srilankan Navy has taken multiple measures stop poaching of Srilankan sea waters by Indian fishermen. There are around 106 Tamil Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan jails for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. The India is vigorously pursuing the release of its fishermen lodged in Srilankan Jails from quite a long time. Recently, India premier, Manmohan Singh took up the issue of fishermen with the visiting Srilankan foreign minister and demanded their immediate return. He stressed upon Srilanka to treat the issue of fishermen as a humanitarian one and release them at earnest. On August 7, Indian authorities summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner and a demarche was issued regarding the 114 Indian fishermen lodged in Lankan jails.