Indian Coastguard releases detained fishermen

by Mohammed Naalir

Twenty-one fishermen detained by the Tamil Nadu Coastguard on the allegation of trespassing will return to the country on February 27.

Four fishing vessels seized by the Indian security have also been released with the fishermen. The fishermen and their fishing vessels will be handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy in Kankesanthurai by the Indian Coastguard officers, Fisheries Ministry spokesman D.S. Narendra Rajapaksa told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The spokesman said the fishermen were released following the intervention of Minister, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and officials of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner's office in India.

The released fishermen comprise six who set sail on January 3 from the Nilwella Fishing Harbour on board the vessel Nimasha 1, five fishermen who left on January 13, from the Cod-Bay Fishing Harbour, Trincomalee on board the vessel Anusha 1, and five fishermen from the Tangalle Fishing Harbour on board the Ashen Putha 1 vessel; and five fishermen who left on January 5 from the Cod Bay Fishing Harbour, Trincomalee on board the vessel Hanshika, the spokesman said.

The 21 fishermen are currently housed at the Maha Bodi Vihara in Elumpur, the spokesman said. He called upon the fishermen to refrain from fishing beyond the country's maritime boundary.