The Sri Lankan Navy on Monday (August 27) arrested eight Tamil Nadu fishermen on charges of poaching at Delft Island.
According to Rameswaram Assistant Director of Fisheries, 430 mechanised boats from Rameswaram ventured into the sea for fishing on Monday. 8 fishermen along with a boat were apprehended by the Lanka Navy. The fishermen's association president urged the Centre for immediate intervention.
"Today the Sri Lankan Navy arrested a barge and 8 fishermen. In this way, Tamil Nadu fishermen are being caught by the Sri Lankan Navy throughout the year. There have been a lot of boat attacks going on. 2 fishermen have been murdered. More than 350 fishermen have been arrested this year alone...Hence there is a sense of hopelessness among the fishermen...," said AITUC Fishing Workers' Association's Tamil Nadu Secretary CR Senthilvel.