INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A total of 18 fishermen were arrested, and their two trawlers were seized on Tuesday off the coast of Mannar in the northeast.On Sunday, as
fishermen were apprehended on Saturday.The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy
personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri
Lankan territorial waters.The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for
fishermen from both countries.There have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly
fishermen along with 35 trawlers for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.--Agencies
