28 fishermen return home after release from SL custody

A group of 28 Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan government for allegedly crossing the maritime border, have been safely returned to Chennai. The fishermen, hailing from Ramanathapuram, had embarked on a fishing expedition in January, only to encounter a confrontation with the Sri Lankan Coast Guard, resulting in their arrest and the seizure of their boats.The ordeal began on January 18 when the fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard while fishing in the middle of the sea. Subsequently, they were detained, remanded, and sent to prison, facing legal complications in a foreign territory.In response to the distressing situation faced by the fishermen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin promptly intervened, urging the Central government to take immediate action for their release. His plea underscored the gravity of the situation and the need for swift diplomatic intervention to secure the fishermen’s safe return.The concerted efforts bore fruit on January 31 when the fishermen were released with the assistance of the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka. They were then handed over to Indian officials, who facilitated the arrangement of travel documents for their journey back home.The culmination of this harrowing ordeal unfolded on Tuesday morning when all 28 fishermen landed at the Chennai airport via an Air India flight from Sri Lanka. Welcoming their return, officials from the fisheries department were present to extend their support and assistance. Transportation arrangements were made to ensure the fishermen’s safe passage to their respective native villages, allowing them to reunite with their families after a period of uncertainty and hardship.@@@