CHENNAI: As Many as 15 fishermen from Thangachimadam in Rameshwaram, who went fishing on January 25, and were arrested by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard, returned on Saturday.

While at sea, they were surrounded by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for crossing the border. Their boats were seized and they were sent to prison.

Based on their families’ request, Chief Minister Stalin requested the Union government to take immediate steps to bring them back to India. With the help of the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka, all 15 fishermen were released and handed to the Indian officials.

They reached the Chennai airport on an Air India flight from Colombo. Officials from the Fisheries department organised transport facilities and sent them to their native villages.