The Sri Lankan navy has arrested 16 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized 3 boats, for allegedly breaching the maritime boundary and engaging in illegal poaching.
The fishermen, from Rameswaram, were reportedly apprehended by Delft Island and towed to the Jaffna coast.
The charges were however rejected by the Fishermen's Association President S Emiret, who said the fishermen were fishing in Indian waters off the Kodiakarai coast.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, another group of Indian fisherman were injured after the Sri Lankan navy reportedly attacked them. About 20 fishing nets were damaged in the attack.
The incidents come after India gifted a coast guard ship to the Sri Lankan government last week, a move that was slammed by MDMK chief Vaiko on Sunday.
Indian fishermen have constantly faced attacks by the Sri Lankan navy, with the incidents continuing despite a change of government in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
See our earlier posts:
12 Tamil Nadu fishermen attacked by Sri Lankan navy (25 Aug 2015)
India criticises Sri Lanka’s ‘use of force’ against Tamil Nadu fishermen (24 Jun 2015)
Sri Lanka PM reiterates navy can shoot Indian fishermen in its waters (16 March 2015)
Indian parliament expresses outrage over Sri Lankan PM defending shooting of fishermen (09 March 2015)
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