Eighty-six Indian fishermen, detained for about 10 hours by Sri Lankan Navy personnel on charges of crossing the Indian waters while fishing in the Palk Strait, were later let off and they returned home early on Wednesday.
According to reports reaching here, 86 fishermen from Pamban and other hamlets had ventured into the sea on May 3 in 11 boats. The Sri Lankan Navy personnel, on surveillance, secured the fishermen and took them to a camp, where they were detained for 10 hours.
After recording their names and other details, police and Fisheries department officials in Sri Lanka warned the Indian fishermen and let them off.
Around Monday night, they were all handed over to Indian authorities.
Let off with warning
Coast Guard officials said that due to the pandemic, the fishermen were let off with a warning by the Sri Lankan authorities. The officials urged the fishermen not to violate the maritime boundaries.
Meanwhile, fishermen association leader Rayappan claimed that the fishermen were well within the Indian waters. However, he thanked the Indian authorities for the safe return of the fishermen.
A senior official in the Fisheries Department here said 300 fishermen had ventured into the sea on Monday. “We have been repeatedly educating the fishermen not to cross the IMBL. Moreover, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan Navy personnel, too, had intensified surveillance.”