32 TN fishermen detained by Sri Lankan navy: Fishermen leaders

In continuing midsea detention of Indian fishermen, another batch of 32 persons were arrested today by Sri Lankan Naval personnel while fishing off Dhanushkodi.
The fishermen of nearby Mandapam were fishing in the Gulf of Mannar Sea near Dhanushkodi at the time of the arrest, fishermen association officials said here.
Six mechanised boats of the fishermen were seized by the Sri Lankan Naval personnel, Rameswaram Fishermen Organisation President S Emerit and Pamban 'Nesakarangal' President S Armstrong Fernando said quoting information received by them.
The Lankan naval men also allegedly damaged the fishing nets of the ten other boats and threatened the fishermen of about 50 boats not to fish in the area driven them away, they said.

Emerit said the 32 fishermen had been taken to Kalpitty police station in Sri Lanka.
This is the third instance of arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy in the last 10 days. Earlier 22 fishermen were arrested on December 29 and another 18 the next day.

The arrests come amid stepped up pressure by the fishermen associations and political leaders, including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, for release of more than 200 fishermen lodged in prisons in Sri Lanka after being arrested over a period of time for allegedly entering Lankan waters.
A delegation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 28 seeking his intervention for the release of their colleagues.

Defence Minister A K Antony earlier this week said that efforts were on to secure the release of the fishermen.