Chennai, Apr 27:
Twenty-four Indian fishermen who were detained by the Sri Lanka Navy for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s waters were on Friday repatriated to India, two days after another group of five Indian fishermen were sent to their homeland.
More than a month after they were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, 24 fishermen from Rameswaram finally returned home on Saturday after being released from Lankan jail.
On Saturday morning, they reached Chennai airport where they were received by Fisheries Department officials, who facilitated their journey to their hometowns.
The fishermen from Rameswaram went fishing on March 24. Near midnight, while they were engaged in fishing, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel on patrol reached there. They alleged them of crossing the maritime border and fishing in Lankan waters.
The navy officials confiscated their two boats, nets and their catch, and arrested the 24 fishermen. They were taken to Sri Lanka where they were presented before a court which sent them to jail.
