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9 Lankan fishermen remanded in India for poaching in Indian waters
View(s):Nine Sri Lanka fishermen, arrested by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and poaching in Indian waters, were remanded till March 10 by an Indian court.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, V. Krishnamoorthy told the Sunday Times that three High Commission officials on Friday met with the fishermen before they were produced in court and provided with translation facilities during the court process.
“We will provide all consular assistance in ensuring the welfare of the fishermen,” the High Commissioner assured.The two Sri Lankan fishing vessels, “Supuni5” and “Chithini” were taken into custody by the ICGS ‘Sagar’, 70 miles east of the Nagapattinam coast on February 24.
The ICG in a press release, stated that the detained vessels contained 2,500 kg of tuna fish, long live hooks and gillnet generally utilized for tuna/shark fishing. The boats were detained for violation of Section 3/7 of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act 1981.
Subsequently, the Sri Lankan fishing boats with the nine crew members were escorted to Karaikal port and handed over to Coastal Security Group, Nagapattinam. The crew members were subjected to documentation and joint interrogation by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the ICG further added. The suspects are now with Coastal Security Group, Nagapattinam, for further legal proceedings.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that nine Sri Lankan fishermen along with 13 boats are currently in custody for allegedly poaching in the country’s territorial waters. Currently, 27 Indian fishermen and 79 boats are in custody in Sri Lanka, the ministry also said.