Navy, let-off with warning

Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu): Twenty eight Tamil Nadu fishermen were detained by Sri Lankan Naval personnel on the charge of entering the island waters in the Palk Strait but released after a stern warning on Saturday, officials in Rameswaram said.

The fishermen from Akkaraipettai village near Nagapattinam were fishing in four mechanised boats when they were arrested and taken to Mannar in Sri Lanka, Assistant Director of Fisheries Gunasekaran said quoting information received.

Though the fishermen said they were fishing in Indian waters only, the Sri Lankan naval men told them that they had intruded into their territory.

The Naval personnel beat some of the fishermen and warned them not to enter Sri Lankan waters before releasing them this afternoon, he said adding the fishermen were expected to return tonight.

Several incidents of Tamil Nadu fishermen being 'attacked' and detained by Sri Lankan naval personnel have been reported in recent months and the state government had been demanding that the Centre take up the issue strongly with the neighbouring country.

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