Jun 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has been accused of abducting several fishermen reportedly in Indian waters off the coast of a village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India.

Indian media quoting local officials have reported that 9 fishermen of a coastal hamlet in Tamil Nadu had been abducted by the Sri Lankan Navy off the Kodiakarai coast.

According to the report, Fisheries Department officials, quoting panchayat representatives of Akkaraipettai hamlet have said the fishermen, who went to the sea in a mechanized boat on June 16, had been abducted by the SLN personnel on a fast craft on June 19 while the fishermen were fishing in the Indian waters.

Indian officials have said that the fishermen were taken to Kankasanthurei port.

The villagers of the Indian village have launched an indefinite fast demanding the Indian government to take steps to secure their release.

In another incident the Sri Lankan Navy has detained another Indian fisherman in a boat for allegedly smuggling brown sugar on Tuesday after a Sri Lankan Navy vessel on patrol had observed the boat drifting in Sri Lankan waters.

The Sri Lankan Navy has not responded yet to the allegations of abducting the Indian fishermen.