7 Indian fishermen repatriated from Sri Lanka, reach Chennai

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 5 (ANI): As many as 7 fishermen who were released from the custody of Sri Lanka reached Chennai Airport on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 7 fishermen, who hailed from Rameshwaram and surrounding areas, for fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

They were released by Sri Lanka on August 29 after intervention by the central and state governments and reached the Chennai Airport on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan Navy arrested the fishermen on July 23. They were produced before the Sri Lankan court and imprisoned.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended a boat with eight crew members that ventured into the sea for fishing off the coast of Rameswaram, as per the Rameswaram Assistant Director of Fisheries on Tuesday.

The boat was part of a group of 430 total mechanised boats from Rameswaram, that ventured into the sea for fishing purposes. CR Senthilvel, Tamil Nadu Secretary of AITUC Fishing Workers’ Association, also confirmed that the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 8 fishermen off the coast of Tamil Nadu.

“Tamil Nadu fishermen are being caught by the Sri Lankan Navy throughout the year. There have been a lot of boat attacks going on. 2 fishermen have been murdered. More than 350 fishermen have been arrested this year alone. Hence, there is a sense of hopelessness among the fishermen,” said CR Senthilvel.

Last month, on August 10, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging action to secure the release and repatriation of another group of fishermen who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy.