22 Indian fishermen taken into custody by Lankan navy

Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu, India),Dec 21 (PTI) Twenty-two Indian fishermen from Jagadapattinam and other coastal villages of Pudukottai districtof the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were today taken into custody by Sri Lankan naval personnel when they were fishing near Katchatheevu in the Palk straits, officials said. Inspector of Fisheries Ramamurthy said they had received information about the detention of the fishermen and the Indian coast guard had been informed. The Sri lankan naval men, when contacted by the Indian coast guard, informed them that the fishermen would be handed over at the International Maritime Boundary line, Ramamurthy told PTI. But they asked them not to come today as the sea was rough on their side, he said. On December 15, five fishermen were taken into custody by Sri Lankan navy when they were fishing near Katchatheevu but were released in the night. Last month, five fishermen were arrested by the Lankan navy on drug smuggling charges and their judicial remand has been extended to January 2. The families of the arrested fishermen had observed a fast on December 17, demanding that steps be taken for their immediate release. Katchatheevu is an islet ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974. Local fishermen have for long been demanding restoration of traditional fishing rights near Katchatheevu and protection to them from attacks allegedly by Lankan navy. PTI