Seven Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Naval personnel for allegedly fishing near Neduntheevu in the island nation.
The fishermen from Jegadapattinam hamlet in Pudukottai district were detained yesterday and taken to Kangesanthurai Port there, along with their two boats, Pudukottai Fisheries Department Assistant Director, Sekar said on Tuesday.
The Lankan navalmen also allegedly rammed their boat against one of the mechanised boats and sank it leaving five fishermen on board to struggle in the sea till fellow fishermen rescued them, he said.
The fishers had put out to sea in more than 100 boats and were fishing off Neduntheevu when the naval personnel arrived and chased them away, he added.
On December 17, fishing nets of 10 mechanised boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly snapped by the Lankan Naval personnel, who also chased away nearly 3,000 Rameswaram fishermen off Katchatheevu islet.