Chennai, March 22
After their release from Sri Lankan custody, 11 fishermen from Rameswaram returned to Chennai, providing relief to their families and communities.
Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department officials received them at the Chennai airport and arranged transport to Rameswaram on Friday night.
The fishermen were detained on February 2, 19, and 23 near the Indian maritime border close to Rameswaram.
The Sri Lankan Coast Guard intercepted their boats, seized the vessels, and took the fishermen into custody.
Following legal proceedings, they were jailed in Sri Lanka.
Responding to the situation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin wrote an urgent letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting diplomatic intervention to secure the fishermen's release.
Subsequently, officials from the Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka held discussions with their Sri Lankan counterparts, leading to a favourable court ruling that ordered the release of all 11 fishermen. Since the detained fishermen did not possess passports, Indian embassy officials issued emergency certificates to facilitate their return. The embassy then arranged for their air travel to Chennai.
Earlier, 13 Tamil fishermen, including one who sustained gunshot injuries, arrived in Chennai late Thursday night after being released from Sri Lankan custody.