Nine fishermen of a coastal hamlet in the district have reportedly been abducted by Sri Lankan Navy off the Kodiakarai coast in Indian waters.
Fisheries department officials, quoting panchayat representatives of Akkaraipettai hamlet said the fishermen put out to sea in a mechanised boat on June 16. While fishing off the Kodiakarai coast in Indian waters on June 19, a team of SL Navy personnel who came in a fast craft reportedly abducted them and took them to Kangesanthurai port in the island nation.
Fishermen in the vicinity conveyed the news to villagers, who launched an indefinite fast, demanding that the government take steps to secure their release.
1 Held for Smuggling Brown Sugar
Sri Lankan Navy personnel detained a fisherman for allegedly smuggling brown sugar in a boat on Tuesday.
Source said that the SL Navy vessel was on patrol when they spotted the boat drifting in their waters.