RAMANANTHAPURAM: Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended 12 Indian fishermen, from the state of Tamil Nadu along with two boats with the charge of poaching in its territorial water here on Thursday.
Sources said, the fishermen who were apprehended while fishing near Katchatheevu, ventured into sea on Wednesday morning from Rameswaram in the mechanised boats of Francis and Devados. Muneeswaran, Antony Innasi, Balu, Karthikraja, Suthan and Alexpandiyan are among the apprehended fishermen and have been taken Kankesanthurai Naval camp for further inquiry.
Speaking to Express, Tamil Nadu All Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association leader N J Bose blamed the Central government of being apathetic towards the arrests of Indian fishermen. "The ruling BJP government is neither expressing its condemnation against the act of Sri Lankan navy nor taking steps to release 184 boats apprehended by the island nation," he added.
He further urged the State and Central governments to immediately hold a talk with Sri Lankan government for the release of the 12 fishermen who were arrested.