ICG repatriates five Indian fishermen released by Lanka

Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, Apr 23 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today repatriated five Indian fishermen, arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities for trespassing into the Lankan territorial waters recently.

A spokesperson of the ICG said the Indian fishermen, namely Franklin (owner of the country boat), Antony Rayappan (21), Kumar (18), Nagaraj (22) and Palsamy (25), hailing from Thangatchimadam coastal hamlet, had ventured into the sea for fishing in a country boat on April six. They were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for trespassing into that country's territorial waters on the same day and were remanded to judicial custody. They were later lodged in the Mannar prison.

Following a request from the Indian Government, Sri Lanka released the fishermen today. On being released by the Lankan Government, the Sri Lankan Naval personnel handed over the Indian fishermen and the country boat to the ICG at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) this afternoon.

The ICG personnel safely repatriated the Indian fishermen, much to the relief of the fishing community here.

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