Navy rounds up 63 South Indian fishermen

by Ananth Palakidnar

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The Navy arrested 63 South Indian fishermen in six fishing trawlers in Lankan territorial waters on Friday, Navy spokesman Commander, D. K. P. Dassanayake said.

Commander Dassanayake told the Sunday Observer the South Indian fishermen were rounded up by the Navy eight nautical miles off the west of Talawila around 12 noon on Friday.

"The Navy boats on their routine sea patrol spotted the South Indian vessels west of Talawila and apprehended all 63 fishermen on board. A thorough search was carried out by the Navy to ensure that the fishermen were not involved in smuggling any item to the LTTE.

They were brought to the Navy base in Kalpitiya and handed over to the Kalpitiya police.