The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 18 Indian fishermen and seized their two trawlers on Tuesday for allegedly poaching in the island nation’s waters, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. This marks the third such incident this month, highlighting the contentious nature of the fishermen’s issue in the India-Sri Lanka relationship.

The arrests took place off the coast of Mannar in the northeast, with the 18 fishermen being escorted to the Thalpadu Pier in Mannar. They are set to be handed over to the Talaimannar Fisheries Inspector for further action, as stated in the press release. This incident follows the arrest of ten Indian fishermen on Sunday and 12 on Saturday, both facing allegations of poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

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The Palk Strait, a narrow waterway separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, has been a longstanding fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. The region has witnessed recurring conflicts, with reports of the Sri Lankan Navy firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in response to alleged illegal entries into Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The fishermen issue remains a point of contention in bilateral ties, with periodic instances of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. Last year alone, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers on similar charges of poaching.