As many as 23 fishermen were allegedly detained by the Sri Lankan Navy near Katchativu on Sunday.
They were part of a group of around 704 local fishermen who ventured into the sea on Saturday and were supposed to return the next day. Sources said they were fishing near Katchatheevu, when they were surrounded by the Lankan Navy. The fishermen were subsequently chased away from Lankan waters. However, five mechanised boats with 23 fishermen on board were apprehended by the Lankan Navy. Those detained included Subramani, Murugan, Balamurugan, Namburajan, Archunan, Kumar, Muthu Manickam, Murugesan, Thriumurugan and Muniyasamy.
The 23 fishermen were later handed over to the Thalaimannar police.
It has been learnt that they would be produced before a court on Monday. However, a fisheries department official said that they were yet to receive a concrete report on the incident.
Indefinite stir
Fishermen associations have called for an indefinite strike at Ramewaram seeking the government’s intervention to secure the early release of the ‘abducted fishermen.
Fishing boats will be not be taken out to sea starting Monday, Tamil Nadu Coastal Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association general secretary N J Bose said.