The Puducherry government has warned fishermen against crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and venturing into Sri Lankan waters and said action would be taken against violating the order.
A notification of the Fisheries Department said the fishermen would face a penalty of INR 5000 and suspension of all kinds of financial and other benefits extended by the government if the penalty was not paid for crossing the IMBL for the first time.
If they crossed for the second time, a penalty of INR 10,000 would be levied and in case of default all kinds of financial and other benefits would be suspended.
A third time crossing of the IMBL would lead to revocation of registration of fishing crafts and its licenses, the notification warned.
The department said Indian Coast Guard, other maritime security agencies and the Indian External Affairs Ministry had drawn the attention of the government to the crossing of IMBL by fishing boats from Karaikal venturing into Sri Lankan waters for fishing despite warnings issued by concerned authorities.
In the wake of the crossing of the line there had been arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lanka navy. - PTI
