Chennai: Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 20 Tamil fishermen last night while they were fishing near international maritime boundary line. The Lankan Navy has also detained four fishing boats. There is tension in the fishermen hamlets of Nagapattinam and Rameswaram. The local fishermen want their fellow fishermen to be released well before Pongal Tamil festival next week.

Local Tamil fishermen are urging central and Tamil Nadu government to ensure the immediate release of more than 90 fellow fishermen lodged in Lankan jail.

The Tamil fishermen say that Sri Lanka has detained more than 70 fishing boats as deterrent measure. This has affected the livelihood of fishermen badly. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalaithaa had earlier written letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the release of Tamil fishermen.