The Sri Lankan Navy Authorities have arrested Fifty fishermen from Nagapattinam and Karaikal for allegedly fishing near the Lankan coast. This is the second time this week that Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Lankan navy. The fishermen, who were arrested around midnight on Monday, have been taken to Kankesanthurai along with their five mechanised boats and two country boats. The fishermen were arrested when they were fishing almost close to the Lankan coast, officials said. On July 22nd, 38 fishermen from Kottaipattinam and Rameswaram were arrested by the Lankan navy on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.

Fishermen of Ramanathapuram district have been boycotting fishing since July 24 highlighting their demands including putting an end to frequent "arrests and harassment" by Sri Lankan navy personnel. Reiterating her government's 'firm commitment' to restore traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay and retrieval of Katchatheevu," chief minister Jayalalithaa had last week written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Centre's intervention in securing the release of the fishermen.

-Siva Kumar