NEW DELHI, April 3 (Xinhua) — Twelve Indian fishermen were apprehended and their trawler was seized by Sri Lankan navy for allegedly fishing in their waters, local media reports quoting officials said Sunday.

The fishermen hailing from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu were arrested during a patrol.Sri Lankan navy has also confirmed the arrests.

“Sri Lanka navy mounted a special operation today morning, to chase away a large number of Indian trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters northeast of the Delft Island in Jaffna. During this operation, the navy seized an Indian trawler with 12 Indian fishermen that continued to remain in island waters through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL),” read a statement issued by Sri Lankan navy.

According to Sri Lankan navy, the Indian poaching trawler with its fishermen was escorted to Mailadi fishery harbor, Kankasanthurai and arrangements were currently underway to hand over them to the fisheries inspector of Jaffna for onward legal action.

Last month many Indian fishermen were also arrested and their boats impounded by Sri Lankan navy for similar violations.

“The navy will continue to carry out regular patrols in Sri Lankan waters to prevent similar illegal fishing practices of foreign fishermen,” the Sri Lankan navy further stated.

Fishermen of the two countries are often jailed for accidentally crossing into each other’s territory. The fishermen from the two countries traverse poorly defined boundaries in the international waters as most fishing boats lack the technologies to locate exact positions.

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