Twenty-seven Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters early on Tuesday.

The fishermen from Jegadapattinam and Kottaipattinam in Pudukottai district were arrested off Neduntheevu by the Sri Lankan Navy and taken to Kangesanthurai port.

In another incident, nearly 3,000 fishermen who had ventured into the sea last evening in 500 boats from here were chased away by the Lankan Naval personnel while they were fishing near Katchatheevu islet, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President S Emerit said.

“The naval men came to the spot and opened fire in the air to drive off the large group of fishermen before damaging their fishing equipment,” he said.

“The fishermen were forced to return to the shore without a catch,” he said.

On December 2, 20 fishermen from Nagapattinam district were arrested by the Lankan Navy on charges of fishing off Neduntheevu.