The Sri Lankan Navy on Monday arrested 35 Indian fisherfolk from Tamil Nadu and seized four trawlers for alleged illegal fishing within the island nation’s territorial waters, PTI reported.

The arrests took place during an overnight operation near the Kankesanthurai area off the northern Jaffna district, Sri Lankan Navy Spokesperson Commander Buddika Sampath said.

According to the Navy, the fisherfolk were apprehended while trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. The arrested persons and their equipment have been handed over to the fisheries inspectorate for investigation and legal action.

This was the second such incident in the past month.

On October 9, the authorities had detained 47 Indian fisherfolk and seized five trawlers near Talaimannar, also in northern Sri Lanka, for similar violations, The Indian Express reported.

On Monday, Chief Minister MK Stalin urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to secure the release of the fisherfolk who were detained by Sri Lanka, along with their boats, The Hindu reported.

“These recurrent incidents have caused profound distress among the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu, whose lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked to the sea,” The Hindu quoted Stalin as saying. “Each apprehension not only deprives families of their primary means of sustenance but also instils a deep sense of fear and insecurity.”

The chief minister said that as of Monday, 114 fisherfolk and 247 boats were in Sri Lankan custody.

Fisherfolk from both countries have been arrested in the past for crossing territorial waters.

In November 2016, representatives of the two countries discussed a proposal to set up a coast guard hotline to avoid further disputes.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea states that fisherfolk who violate territorial water borders may be warned, or fined, but not arrested or shot at.

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