Four fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, were released after spending 53 days in custody and returned home on Wednesday.
The fishermen, identified as Balamurugan (30), Dinesh (18), Gunasekaran (42) and Ramu (22), are natives of Nambudalai village in Ramanathapuram district. They had ventured into the sea for fishing in a fibre boat on November 2 and reportedly strayed into Sri Lankan waters inadvertently.
The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the fishermen during a routine patrol near Neduntheevu and took them to Kankesanthurai Harbour, where they were questioned and later lodged in a detention camp.
After 53 days, the fishermen were produced before a Sri Lankan Magistrate’s Court, which ordered their release after imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 each. The fine amount was paid with the assistance of officials from the Indian Consulate.
Following their release, the fishermen were transported in a Sri Lankan Navy vessel and handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the maritime border. They were subsequently brought ashore by an Indian Coast Guard ship at Arukattuthurai along the Vedaranyam coast.
On arrival, the fishermen were taken into custody by the Vedaranyam Coast Guard Police and officials of the Fisheries Department for routine inquiry. After verification, they were allowed to return to their native village.
The return of the fishermen has brought relief to their families and the fishing community in the region, ending weeks of anxiety.
