🎶At least 12 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in🃏 the country's territorial waters, an official said on Sunday.
"The fishermen were arrested near Point Pedro b꧂etween 5 and 5:30 this evening (local time),” Sri Lankan Navy spok✨esman Captain Indika de Silva told PTI.
He said the arrested fishermen were being brought to Mylaꦅdi in the northern Jaffna peninsula where they would be handed over to the fisheries directorate.
In recent weeks, the northern fishermen hav🎉e been complaining of increased poaching in the Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen.
The locals 𒁃c🏅laimed that Indians were taking the opportunity as the number of locals going fishing has been severely curtailed by the ongoing fuel crisis.
The fishermen issue is a contentious one in ties between theℱ two countries.
There have 𝓰been periodic instances of Indian fishermen be🌱ing apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
There have been several alleged incidents of the Lankan Navy personnel even firing atඣ Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats.
The Palk Strait, which is a narrow str🤡ip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
