Sri Lankan Navy has detained 20 Indian fishermen and 4 fishing vessels in three separate actions since last evening. Eight fishermen were arrested last evening near Mullaitivu after the Indian fishermen had a squabble with local Sri Lankan fishermen near the coast. <br/><br/>Earlier this morning, 12 fishermen were caught at two separate locations by the island Navy. 4 Indian fishermen were caught near Kankesanthurai while 8 were arrested near Thalaimannar on charges of violating the international maritime border and poaching.<br/><br/>All the arrested fishermen will be handed over by the Navy to the civilian authorities today to be produced before local magistrates for remand. Officials of Indian Consulate at Jaffna and High Commission in Colombo will be assisting the fishermen in court proceedings. <br/><br/>Before these latest arrests, 94 Indian fishermen were in custody of Sri Lankan authorities. According to the officials of the Indian High Commission in Colombo, efforts are being made through diplomatic channels to secure an early release of these fishermen.<br/><br/><br/>Local Tamil fishermen are urging central and Tamil Nadu government to ensure the immediate release of fellow fishermen lodged in Lankan jail. The fishermen families from Nagai, Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai want them released before Pongal Tamil festival next week. The Tamil fishermen say that Sri Lanka has detained more than 70 fishing boats as deterrent measure. This has affected the livelihood of fishermen badly. <br/><br/>Now the attack by Lankan fishermen in mid sea has sent shock waves in the fishermen hamlets of Nagai. They want a lasting solution to the problem of fishing in traditional areas near international maritime boundary line.