Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 53 Indian fishermen in the last 24 hours for allegedly entering its waters illegally, prompting India to summon Lankan deputy high commissioner in New Delhi.
Thirty four Indian fishermen were captured on Thursday near islet of Delft in the northern Jaffna district, the Sri Lankan Navy said, adding they will be handed over to the local police for "trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters".
The navy had Thursday arrested 19 fishermen near the northern seas of Mannar.
Reacting to this, the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi summoned Sri Lanka deputy high commissioner.
The deputy high commissioner was told that the fishermen should be treated humanely and that the Lankan Nany should be restrained in action against them, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in New Delhi.
He added that the deputy high commissioner was told that Lanka should ensure swift return of the fishermen.
