41 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka return to Chennai
A group of 41 Indian fishermen, detained by the Sri Lanka Navy, have been repatriated by authorities and arrived at Chennai Airport on Tuesday.
“41 Indian fishermen successfully repatriated from Sri Lanka! They are currently on their way home,” the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said on X.
Fishermen from both countries are arrested occasionally for trespassing into each other’s waters. All 41 fishermen will now be sent to their respective districts after confirmation by the authorities. Of the 41 fishermen, 35 are from Ramanathapuram district. They were detained near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the fishermen were arrested in connection with cross-border fishing activities, which is a recurring issue in the region.
This development marks a significant step in tackling the frequent detentions of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities.
Earlier this month, 15 Indian fishermen, detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, were released and returned to Chennai on January 16. Their release was secured after the interventions by the federal and Tamil Nadu governments.
Previously, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) facilitated the repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen and four fishing boats from Bangladesh. The repatriation took place at South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, where the Indian fishermen were handed over to state fisheries officials.
Recently, several incidents of fishermen from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh being detained for crossing international maritime boundaries have come to light.
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