With the arrest of 34 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy this morning near Delft Island, a total of 53 fishermen in 9 trawlers are in custody of Sri Lankan authorities now.

Speaking to All India Radio, Sri Lankan Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said all the arrests have been made in Sri Lankan waters for illegal poaching. Officials of the Indian High Commission are in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure an early release of all 53 fishermen and thier fishing boats.

Reports reaching Fisheries Department at
Ramanathapuram say that The fishermen from Thangachimadom had ventured into the sea yesterday morning.

Earlier, on March 3, the Lankan navy had arrested 16 Indian fishermen from Tuticorin. They were released last week after being remanded to fourteen day custody by a Lankan court.

The distance between Rameshwaram and Munnar coast in North Sri Lanka is only about 50 miles and often the fishing boats stray into each others’ territorial waters, leading to skirmishes between fishermen of the two countries or even arrests by Naval Patrol boats.

Meanwhile members from Tamil Nadu today demanded immediate release of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy during the last two days.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, T K S Elangovan of the DMK alleged that the government is not protecting the Tamil Nadu fishermen. He said the arrest of fishermen by Sri Lanka has become a daily routine and demanded response from the Home Minister.

Echoing similar sentiments, Thambi Durai of the AIADMK sought a statement from the government giving details about the steps taken to check such incidents. He said a total of 800 Indian fishermen were killed by the Sri Lankan Navy so far.