'Sri Lankan navy behaving like pirates'

Ramanathapuram (TN), Jun 23: Congress MP J M Haroon today charged Sri Lankan Navy with behaving like ''pirates'' on the issue of 23 Indian fishermen being taken into custody by them on June 21 and said international martime rules did not bar them from fishing in international waters.

"As per international maritime law, fishermen can fish in international waters and there is no bar. While so, the Lankan navy should not behave like pirates," he told reporters here.

He said the Centre was taking all steps to prevail on Sri Lanka to release the fishermen.

The MP opined that Indian fishermen had every right to fish near Katchativu islet as per the 1974 agreement with Sri Lanka.

PTI