10 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested, boats impounded by Sri Lankan Navy

Ten Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested on Sunday and their boats impounded by the SriLankan Navy for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters.

While four of the fishermen belonged to this island town, the others hailed from Jegadapattinam in Pudukottai district, Fisheries department officials said.

The fishermen from Rameswaram, who had ventured into these were arrested near Katchatheevu this morning and were taken to Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka by the navy personnel, they said.

Those from Pudukottai district were arrested while they were fishing in Neduntheevu and were taken to Kangesanthur airport, they added. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fishermen's Association General Secretary, NJ Bose said, "Nationwide protests will be held to condemn the continuing arrests of the state's fishermen if the Centre fails to take steps to find an amicable solution to the problem.

"On Saturday, a 34-year-old Tamil Nadu fisherman from was injured when he was allegedly attacked by the Lankan naval personnel for fishing off Neduntheevu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had on January 5 written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state's fishermen urging him to take up the issue of apostates fishermen by Lankan Navy at the "highest diplomatic level, "besides ensuring their safety and security.