A group of 27 fishermen from Rameshwaram and Thangachimadam, who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy, returned to Chennai on Wednesday night after their release.The fishermen were arrested for allegedly crossing the maritime border, with the Sri Lankan Coast Guard seizing their boats and detaining them. The group from Thangachimadam was apprehended on December 23, 2023, while 14 fishermen from Rameshwaram were arrested on January 26, 2024. Their detention sparked protests in Tamil Nadu, with the local fishing community expressing strong opposition to the actions of the Sri Lankan authorities.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took swift action, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging them to secure the release of the detained fishermen and recover their seized boats.
Following diplomatic efforts by the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka, the fishermen were released and handed over to Indian officials. Emergency certificates and flight tickets were arranged to facilitate their return.
Upon arrival at Chennai Airport, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials welcomed the fishermen and arranged transportation to their hometowns. The Tamil Nadu government has assured continuous support for the affected fishing communities.