Tamil Nadu fishermen released from Sri Lankan prison recently reached Chennai airport on Wednesday. Around 17 fishermen were arrested for allegedly entering Sri Lankan maritime boundary line last month. The arrested fishermen were from Pudukottai district. In 2023, Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 110 Indian fishermen and seized 17 trawlers till now, as reported by Times of India.
According to ANI, 17 Tamil Nadu fishermen, released from Sri Lankan jail, reached Chennai airport today. They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy last month alleging that they entered the Sri Lanka sea border.
In September, Sri Lankan Navy arrested 17 Indian fishermen and seized three trawlers allegedly used for poaching the country's territorial waters. The fishermen were reportedly arrested on the coast of Jaffna's Kakarathivu island. The Navy said that the arrested fishermen were taken to the port of Kankesanthurai and handed over to the local fisheries directorate, said a report on PTI.
Later, they were lodged in prison after being remanded in judicial custody.
Following the arrest, fishermen's organisation in Rameswaram staged a protest demanding the release of the fishermen.
On multiple occasions, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin wrote to PM Modi and Union External Affairs Minister seeking diplomatic efforts to work towards the release of the fishermen. On September 15, TN CM Stalin wrote to Minister Jaishankar requesting him to take efforts with Sri Lanka government for the release of the fishermen. The CM told the Union Minister to find a "lasting diplomatic solution through bilateral negotiations to bring peace in the lives of thousands of Indian fishermen."