RAMANATHAPURAM: Four fishermen from Nambuthalai in Ramanathapuram district, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, returned home on Thursday and reached the Arukattuthurai jetty near Vedaranyam.

The fishermen — Balamurugan (30), Dinesh (18), Gunasekaran (42) and Ramu (22) — were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the maritime boundary after their release by Sri Lankan authorities.They were then brought to the Arukattuthurai jetty in an Indian Coast Guard vessel. The four were detained for 53 days before being released and sent back to India.

According to officials, the fishermen had gone fishing in a fibre boat on November 2, 2025. During fishing, they are believed to have inadvertently crossed the sea boundary, following which the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted them near Neduntheevu and took them to the Kankesanthurai harbour for inquiry.

After reaching Vedaranyam, officials from the Indian Coast Guard, police and the fisheries department conducted inquiries and later sent the fishermen to their native place.