The 23 Tamil Nadu fishermen, set free by a
court in Sri Lanka after being detained by the island navy on the charge of
poaching, arrived at Mandapam coast near here today.The fishermen, taken into custody on July 22 when they were
fishing near Katchatheevu, were released by a court in Mannar yesterday after
India made an appeal to Sri Lanka.Indian Coast Guard personnel, to whom the fishermen along
with their five boats were handed over by Sri Lankan Navalmen at the
International Maritime Border, brought them to the shores this morning,
Assistant Director of Fisheries Karthikeyan said.However, the arrival of the fishermen was delayed by nearly
12 hours as the boats ran out of diesel in midsea.The family members of the fishermen, belonging to
Rameswaram, were present at Mandapam shores to welcome them.The fishermen alleged they were initially lodged in a
bathroom in the police station in Mannar and not provided food.
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