Govt summons Sri Lankan envoy over arrest of fishermen
53 Indian fishermen have been accused of trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters
Colombo: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday summoned deputy high commissioner of Sri Lanka, seeking swift return of 53 Indian fishermen arrested by the Lankan navy.
The deputy high commissioner was told that the fishermen should be treated humanely and that the Lankan Navy should be restrained in action against them, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in New Delhi.
Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday arrested 34 Indian fishermen for allegedly entering its waters illegally. 19 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy near the northern seas of Mannar on Wednesday taking the total number of Indians captured in the last 24 hours to 53.
Thursday’s arrest came near islet of Delft in the northern Jaffna district, the Sri Lankan Navy said, adding that the fishermen will be handed over to the local police for “trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters".
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