Ten Sri Lankan fishermen arrested off Andhra coast
Hyderabad, May 30 (IANS) Indian Coast Guard have arrested 10 Sri Lankan fishermen off the Andhra Pradesh coast after they intruded into Indian territorial waters.
In the second such incident in 45 days, the fishermen were apprehended when they reached near the coast of Kakinada in East Godavari district.
According to Coast Guard Deputy Inspector General Sanjiv Dewan, the fishermen were arrested Sunday.
The Sri Lankan fishermen in two boats were held at about 120 nautical miles from Kakinada coast. The two boats -- along with the catch, including five tonnes of tuna fish -- were seized.
The Coast Guard officials questioned the fishermen, who claimed to have drifted away in the Indian territorial waters owing to rough weather.
The arrested men along with boats were handed over to police Monday.
Last month, Kakinada Marine Police had arrested 10 Sri Lankan fishermen after intercepting two fishing boats off the coast.