Indian poachers remanded

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 November 2004, 12:01 GMT]
Mannar Magistrate Mr. M.N.M.Abdullah Tuesday ordered remand till November 22 for 12 Indian fishermen who were caught by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters, legal sources said

The Talaimannar Police Tuesday morning produced the suspects in courts on a charge of poaching. Police departing from normal procedure objected for releasing not only the boatmen but also fishermen on bail following an understanding reached at a conference held in Mannar Bishop House over the question of poaching, legal sources said.

On earlier occasions the Police moved for remand only for boatmen and the Magistrate allowed the fishermen to be handed over to Indian coast guard personnel in mid sea. The magistrate further ordered that the trawlers seized in the operation to be kept in custody in Karainagar navy camp in Jaffna district, legal sources said.