Rameswaram (PTI): Sri Lankan navy personnel on Sunday allegedly surrounded 10 Indian fishing boats in Katchatheevu, an island in the Palk Bay, but later released them.

Yagava fishermen's association President Jesudurai alleged that Sri Lankan navy surrounded the boats and seized the fishermen's nets.

They also made the fishermen swim in the sea continuously for more than half an hour before allowing them to leave, he said here.

The fishermen have returned to the shore, he added.

Meanwhile, Fisheries department officials levied fine on 40 country and 10 mechanised boat owners for using "banned nets" for fishing.

The officials warned that their licence would be cancelled if they were caught a second time.