The issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen getting frequently nabbed by the island nation’s navy continues unabated with nine fishermen from Pudukottai district being taken into custody when they were fishing in mid-sea on Sunday, officials said.
It was not known where exactly the fishermen were fishing when they were arrested. They were taken by the Lankan naval men along with their two boats, officials and local fishermen association president Ramakrishnan said.
After the arrest, tension prevailed in Jagadapattinam in the district, from where the fishermen ventured into the sea.
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Their arrest comes two days after 19 fishermen from this island, who were arrested on March 13 and lodged in prison in the neighbouring country, arrived here after a Sri Lankan court ordered their release.
The navy had earlier this month arrested 56 fishermen in separate incidents — 30 from this island and 26 from Karaikal — on charges of poaching in the Sri Lankan waters.
A Sri Lankan court has extended the remand of the 26 fishermen from Karaikal upto April 19 while the case relating to the arrest of 30 fishermen from Rameswaram on April 6 has been posted for hearing on April 18.
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On April 12, six fishermen, who ventured into the sea from Karaikal were injured when they were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan naval men off Kodiakarai coast.