Ten Indian fishermen in Lankan Navy's custody

Chennai, Sep 11 (UNI) About ten Indian fishermen were taken into custody by Sri Lankan Navy personnel while they were fishing near Katchatheevu in the high seas off Rameswaram coast, official sources said today.

The fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram, ventured into the sea yesterday in mechanised two boats for fishing when they were taken into custody by the Lankan Navy for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

When the Lankan Navy spotted the Indian fishermen, they opened fire in the air, following which fishermen in other boats fled the scene.

Shaken by the shots, the two boats were stranded in the mid sea and the Navy took them into custody.

The fishermen were travelling in two boats, one owned by Aloliya Sahayam of Thangachi Madam, and the other by Titus of Pamban.

While Amalan (42), Manickam (40), Stalin (38), Mani (27) and Devendran were travelling in the boat owned by Sahayam, the other five -- Sankar (32), Nelson (24), Saravanan (30), Guruchandran (35) and Velu (32)-- were travelling in the boat owned by Titus.

Fellow fishermen, who reached Rameswaram this morning, lodged a complaint with the Fisheries Department and the Police.

Sources said the fishermen might have crossed the IMBL to Katchatheevu as the catch could be higher in that area.

UNI