Five Indian fishermen were arrested and their boat impounded by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 18, 2017 for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters.
The fishermen from Tamil Nadu’s Mandapam had put out to sea in a boat early on June 18, 2017 and were fishing off Neduntheevu, when Sri Lankan naval men surrounded them and took them to Kangesanthurai port there, State Fishermen Association president N. Devadoss said.
On May 23, 2017, six fishermen were arrested for allegedly fishing near Neduntheevu.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami had on June 13, 2017 sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting back 135 fishing boats of state fishermen impounded by Sri Lanka.
He had also requested Mr. Modi to take steps to secure the release of 11 fishermen in the island nation’s custody.