Mar 14, Colombo: Sri Lankan Navy personnel on Thursday have arrested at least 60 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized 11 boats for fishing in Sri Lankan waters near the Katchatheevu island, an official from an Indian fishermen association has said.

According to the official the fishermen have been taken to Neduntheevu police station in Sri Lanka.

The fishermen from Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu have accused the Sri Lankan Navy personnel of attacking them with steel rods and ropes while they were fishing near Katchatheevu.

The alleged attack has injured about 20 fishermen and they have reportedly received treatment at the hospital.

Sri Lanka Navy Wednesday arrested 19 Indian fishermen and seized their 4 trawlers for illegally poaching in Sri Lankan Waters.

Naval patrol crafts attached to the North-central Naval Command arrested the 19 Indian fishermen along with the 4 Indian Trawlers engaged in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters north of Thalaimannar yesterday.

The fishermen have been handed over to the Thalaimannar Police for legal action, the Navy said.

Indian fishermen, mainly from Tamil Nadu, illegally poaching in large scale with trawlers in Sri Lanka's waters, have become a serious threat to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen and they have urged the Sri Lankan authorities to prevent the Indian fishermen from stealing their livelihood.