Colombo: The Sri Lanka Navy has detained nine Indian fishermen on charges of poaching within its territorial waters, according to an official announcement. Their fishing trawler has also been confiscated.

The fishermen were taken into custody on Saturday after they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) near Delft Island, Jaffna, as stated in the report.

“During the operation, one Indian fishing trawler was seized, while nine Indian fishermen on board were taken into custody by SLNS Samudura,” the statement noted.

After their arrest, the fishermen were transported to Kankesanthurai Harbour and will be handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for subsequent legal action.

As of July this year, there were 30 Indian fishermen still held by Sri Lankan authorities.

The detention of fishermen by Sri Lanka has sparked controversy between the two neighboring nations, with claims of aggressive actions by Sri Lankan forces against those fishing in the Palk Strait.

There have been instances where the Sri Lanka Navy reportedly fired upon Indian fishermen and confiscated their vessels. Most of the detained fishermen hail from Tamil Nadu, while others come from Puducherry, Odisha, and West Bengal.

The Palk Strait, which lies between India and Sri Lanka, is a lucrative fishing area for fishermen from both nations.