13 Lanka fishermen held by Coast Guard

PARADIP: Thirteen Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for illegally entering Orissa Coast for  fishing.The Coast Guard ship “Saranga” intercepted three Sri Lanka trawlers after spotting them in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during routine patrolling on Monday and handed over the 13 fishermen on board to the Marine police on Tuesday.Police said on Saturday, an ICG Dornier aircraft had reported sighting of a trawler off the Orissa Coast under suspicious circumstances.Receiving information, the Saranga team led by Deputy Inspector-General Sanjeev Dewan sailed to the spot to trace out the trawler.   On Monday noon, the ICG team spotted three Sri Lankan vessels. The 13 were nabbed on charges of violation of the Maritime Zone of India Act, 1976, which prohibits foreign fishing boats from fishing in the Indian EEZ without licence and approval of the Government of India. The fishermen, who hail from Sri Lanka, have been taken into custody and are being interrogated for suspected links with terrorists and drug dealers.DSP Santanu Das said the trawlers, containing a large quantity of sea fish, are being examined thoroughly.