The Hindu : 32 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan `civilians'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 02, 2003

International

International - India & World

32 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan `civilians'

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO Dec. 1. Thirty-two Indian fishermen were detained and eight trawlers seized by "civilians'' off rebel-held northern Sri Lanka for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

According to the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry, the Indian fishermen were arrested by civilians in Vidathalthivu — a part of the northern Mannar district under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) — in the early hours of Saturday. The fishermen and their boats were reportedly "surrounded and caught'' by "civilians'' while "they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters,'' the Ministry said, adding they are expected to be handed over to the Mannar police. Efforts are on by the LTTE, the Government officials and ceasefire monitors to secure the fishermen.The local fishermen are demanding compensation for fishing nets damaged by Indian trawlers.

In two other developments, the Ministry has reported the sighting of Indian fishing trawlers in two locations off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

On Saturday, "a flotilla of about 50 Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lanka waters'' was sighted at 11.a.m southwest of Delft islet, off the northern Jaffna peninsula.

Elsewhere off the Jaffna peninsula, "at least 200-300 Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters were sighted'' on Sunday evening, the Ministry said.

The oft-repeated incidents of intrusion by Indian fishermen took a bloody turn this March when "groups of fishermen'' from a fishing village in Government-controlled Mannar district attacked and detained 117 Indian fishermen in two incidents. Later the fishermen in Mannar protested the "lack of action'' by the Sri Lankan Government to "stop the continued encroachment'' by Indian fishermen "beyond the controversial Katchchathivu islet.''

The LTTE had, in the past, often raised the issue of "encroachment by Indian fishermen'' in Sri Lankan waters.

Before unilaterally suspending the peace negotiations this April, it had also said that it would take up the issue at the peace talks with the Government.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Residents allege attack on civilians by U.S. forces

Israel launches massive raid on Ramallah

U.S. role in Georgia `coup' seen

Seoul to go ahead with troop plan

India should resume dialogue on all issues, says Pakistan

32 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan `civilians'