30 TN fishermen released by Lankan court return home

Thirty fishermen from here, who were set free by a Sri Lankan court after being arrested by the island Navy last month on charges of poaching, arrived here today.

The fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on April 6 while fishing near Katchatheevu, an islet ceded by India to the island republic, for allegedly entering into Lankan waters.

A court in Mannar today ordered their release following which they were handed over to Indian Coast Guard personnel at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by Srilankan Navy personnel this evening, officials said.

Assistant Director of Fisheries Plafumin Thiyagarajan, Naval Commander Sathiyanarayanan along with renuve and police officials and fishermen association office-bearers went in a boat and brought back the fishermen to the shores.
 

On arrival here, the fishermen were given a rousing reception by relatives and fellow fishermen.