Indian Fishermen Accused of Poaching in Sri Lankan Waters Arrested: 9 Individuals in Custody

Fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka are frequently arrested for trespassing into each other’s waters. Recently, nine fishermen were arrested, and their two trawlers were seized off the coast of Delft islet in the Jaffna peninsula. The Sri Lankan Navy reported that 252 Indian fishermen have been arrested and 35 trawlers seized this year for poaching. Sri Lanka has expressed concern to India over the death of a naval sailor during an operation to seize an Indian trawler engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

A senior sailor sustained critical injuries in a separate incident where an Indian trawler resisted seizure off the coast of Point Pedro. The issue of fishermen trespassing is contentious between India and Sri Lanka, with reported incidents of Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats. The Palk Strait is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. *Please note that the headline has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.

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