• By Vivek Raj
  • Sat, 03 Aug 2024 07:58 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The 21 Indian fishermen, whose release was secured by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, arrived at Chennai airport on Saturday morning. The High Commission announced their repatriation via a post on X, stating, "Returning home! 21 Indian fishermen have been successfully repatriated and are on their way to Chennai from Colombo."

On Thursday, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and the Consulate General in Jaffna secured the release of 20 fishermen from Sri Lankan authorities. The High Commission's official handle posted, "High Commission @IndiainSL and @CGJaffna in cooperation with GoSL authorities secured the release of 20 Indian fishermen. DHC @DrSatyanjal and other officials met the fishermen today, ascertained their well-being and assured their repatriation within a day."

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Officials from the Indian Consulate General in Jaffna visited the Kayts police station to meet two fishermen whose boat capsized following a collision with a Sri Lankan naval vessel. Indian Consul General Sai Murali confirmed the well-being of fishermen Muthumuniyandu and Mookaiah, offering them full support and facilitating phone calls to their families in India.

The incident transpires from a collision occurred 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island on Thursday, involving a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat. Four Indian fishermen were on board, one of them died and one is missing. Two were rescued and brought to Kankesanthurai.

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In response to the incident, the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs, where a strong protest was registered regarding the death of the Indian fisherman. The search for the missing fisherman is ongoing, and Indian Consulate officials in Jaffna have been directed to provide immediate assistance to the affected fishermen and their families.

The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated the importance of addressing fishermen-related issues in a humane and humanitarian manner.

(With agency inputs)