Colombo: At least 17 Indian fishermen were arrested for allegedly straying into Sri Lankan waters at the high-security zone near Jaffna harbour and could face detention for about three weeks, officials said here today.
The fishermen had set out to sea on Monday night in 100 boats, five of which were seized by the Sri Lankan Navy, they said.
The boats and the crew were being held at Kankesanthurai, declared as a high-security zone, in northern Sri Lanka. They were caught in areas prohibited for civilian movement in an island away from Kankesanthurai, an official said.
Later, the fishermen were produced in a magistrate's court in Kayts Island in the region.
"On the face of it, they seem to be genuine fishermen and could be released within three weeks if nothing unexpected emerges against them during questioning," the official said.
The detention of Indian fishermen is the first such incident in the past four months.
The Coastal Security Police in Tamil Nadu has asked fishermen to carry identity cards issued by the Fisheries Department while venturing into the sea and not to cross the Indian maritime border.
In September, the Sri Lankan government released 38 Indian fisherfolk after exempting them from any legal formalities after they inadvertently strayed into its territorial waters.
