51 Indian, 3 Sri Lankan fishermen repatriated

Sri Lankan Navy handed over the 51 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, arrested over the past few months, to Indian Coast Guard at the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Palk Bay. Similarly, three Sri Lankan fishermen, released from the Puzhal Prison in Chennai on January 8, were handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy at the IMBL, Ramanathapuram District Fisheries Deputy Director Kasinatha Pandian said. The trio had drifted into Indian waters off Dhanushkodi recently. The Tamil Nadu fishermen would arrive at Karaikal coast, officials said. Meanwhile, around 2,000 fishermen returned without catch on Tuesday after they were allegedly chased away by Lankan navy last night, Rameswaram Fishermen’s Association representative Sagayam said.