India, May 17 - The Indian Navy has arrested 14 Sri Lankan fishermen along with five boats for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and for fishing sea cucumber on Thursday, May 16, 2024,

Sources from the Indian Navy said, ICGS Rani Durgavati apprehended five Sri Lankan fishing boats with 14 Sri Lankan crew at 13 nautical mile South East of Point Calimere Light, 7 nautical miles inside Indian waters. The Sri Lankan boats were caught in violation of Maritime Zones of India Act 1981. Approximately 200 kgs of endangered fish species were seized onboard in view of protecting the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and curbing illegal activities at sea.

Sources said, all the arrested fishermen belong to Paruthithurai in Sri Lanka. They were brought to the Nagapattinam fishing harbor and handed over to the Vedaranyam Marine police on late Thursday.