Tamil Nadu: 21 Fishermen Freed By Sri Lanka Return To Chennai

In three distinct incidents last month, over 60 fishermen from Rameswaram and Mandapam were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the boundary line.

These fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram, had faced arrest last month for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary line.

Source : Twitter/@IndiaInSL

A group of around 21 fishermen, who had been released from Sri Lanka, arrived in Chennai on Wednesday. These fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram, had faced arrest last month for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary line. Notably, in three distinct incidents last month, over 60 fishermen from Rameswaram and Mandapam were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the boundary line.

According to ANI, 21 fishermen from Rameswaram, who were released from Sri Lanka, reached Chennai earlier on Wednesday. A total of 64 fishermen belonging to Rameswaram and Mandapam were arrested in three separate incidents by the Sri Lankan navy allegedly for cross border fishing in the month of October this year.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | 21 fishermen from Rameswaram, who were released from Sri Lanka, reached Chennai earlier today.

A total of 64 fishermen belonging to Rameswaram and Mandapam were arrested in three separate incidents by the Sri Lankan navy allegedly for cross border fishing… pic.twitter.com/fhlR01FSZ2

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

 Following this, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to the External Affairs Minister to make efforts to release fishermen, Also, various political party leaders requested that the Union Government intervene in this matter.

With the efforts of the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka and following the talks, 63 fishermen were released. One fisherman who had been allegedly arrested for the second time was sent to two years imprisonment by the Lankan court.

On November 21, the initial group of 15 fishermen arrived at Chennai Airport, followed by another 15 on November 23. Subsequently, a third batch of 12 fishermen was released by Sri Lanka on November 24.

With the return of the remaining 21 fishermen on Wednesday, a total of 63 fishermen have been repatriated to India. The State Government Fisheries Department facilitated their transportation to their respective hometowns.