This Article is From Mar 04, 2014

Manmohan Singh meets Mahinda Rajapakse, raises fishermen row

Myanmar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took up the issue of the arrested Indian fishermen with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in Myanmar on Tuesday. (Read: PM-Rajapaksa meet: Diplomacy vs political compulsions)

Mr Singh demanded humane treatment for the 32 Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters off the coast of the Delft islet in Jaffna.

Their eight trawlers were seized yesterday, a Naval spokesman said.

The fishermen were being taken to the port of Kankesanturai to be handed over to the fisheries surveillance officials, the spokesman added.

Commenting on the arrest, fisheries ministry spokesman Narendra Rajapaksa said the Indian fishermen had violated accord reached during January's bilateral fishing talks to stop bottom trawling.
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