|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 2 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Security | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Monitors say LTTE grab Indian fishermen by Ranga Jayasuriya The LTTE yesterday captured seven indian fishing trawlers with the crew members in the seas off Mannar, Scandinavian truce monitors said adding that they are insisting on their release. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission spokeswoman Agnes Bragadottir said the Tigers have brought the fishermen to a fishing harbour 20 Km north of Mannar, where they are now held. "According to my information there are 32 fishermen, but the number is not confirmed," Bragadottir said. She said the SLMM's acting chief Hagrup Haukland had contacted the LTTE headquarters in Kilinochchi to demand the release of the fishermen and the trawlers. "He told the LTTE that this is a extremely dangerous situation". Bragadottir however said this does not amount to a ceasefire violation as "this has nothing to do with the ceasefire agreement" A spokesman for the LTTE's Kilinochchi office said the fishermen were arrested on the request of the local fishermen who complain of intrusion of indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters on a daily basis. "Local fishermen are complaining that Indian fishermen are intruding and fishing in their waters. They said this is a threat to their livelihood," he said. He said an "absence" of action by the Navy on the issue compelled the Tigers to act. There was no immediate comment from the Indian High Commission. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
