Lankan Navy personnel struck again, probably for the last time in the year 2017, to arrest 13 hapless Indian (Tamil) fishermen who were fishing harmlessly near Neduntheevu in Palk Strait.

The 13 fishermen, who were fishing at Palk Strait off Neduntheevu, were arrested early this morning on (false) charges of crossing international maritime boundary and foraying into Lankan waters. Two expensive fishing boats used by the fishermen have also been confiscated by the Lankan security forces. The arrested fishermen have been kept at Kankesan Port and are being interrogated.

Earlier in the day, more than 1500 ventured out into the sea in more than 400 fishing boats from Indian shores and were fishing in mid-seas in between Katchativu and Neduntheevu when they were chased away by Lankan Navy personnel who arrived in a few boats. They also attacked the fishermen using stones and used bottles.

Arrest of fishermen on wrong premises on the eve of the ensuing New Year celebrations has made the atmosphere along the coast tense.