21 Lankan fishermen arrested for straying into Indian waters

Chennai, Feb 28 (UNI) Twentyone Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard off Karaikal coast, an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry, early this morning.

Coast Guard sources here said, the fishermen were arrested for 'inadvertently' straying into Indian territorial waters.

The Lankans, fishing in four boats, had strayed deep into Indian waters. They were being brought to Chennai and would be handed over to the local police.

Though Indian fishermen were frequently detained by the Lankan Navy for 'straying' into their territorial waters by crossing the IMBL, this was for the first time in recent past that Lankan fishermen had strayed into Indian waters.

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