Fishermen captured by Lankan Navy return

Chennai, Oct 2 (UNI) Ten fishermen from Rameswaram, who had ventured into the sea for fishing on September 11 and had been captured by the Sri Lankan Navy after they drifted away from the Indian waters, returned here this evening by an Indian flight following their release.

The fishermen were released from a prison in the island on a court order and returned to India, thanks to the efforts of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

After the island navy arrested and lodged them in a prison in Sri Lanka, the Chief Minister took up the matter with the Centre.

Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu pursued the matter with the External Affairs Ministry and thanks to the help rendered by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the fishermen, hailing from Thangachimadam in Rameswaram, flew home this evening.

Representatives of the local fishermen association received their colleagues at the airport here and took them to Rameswaram by road.

UNI