Sri Lankan Navy arrests 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Katchatheevu

In yet another incident highlighting the continuing tensions in the Palk Strait, the Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday arrested 22 fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. 

Four mechanised boats used by the fishermen were also seized.

According to fisheries department



sources, the fishermen hailed from Rameswaram and Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district. 

They had ventured into the sea on Wednesday night in four boats for routine fishing operations.

The arrests took place in the early hours of Thursday near Katchatheevu, a small islet in the Palk Strait that has long been a sensitive issue between India and Sri Lanka.