Coast Guard brings 5 Indian fishermen from Lanka

Five fishermen apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy for reportedly fishing in their territorial waters were brought back by the Indian Coast Guard on Monday after the island nation's naval personnel handed them over at the International Maritime Boundary Line.

On arrival, the fishermen and their boat were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries. The Coast Guard said in a statement that the fishermen were stranded off Talaimannar coast on Sunday after their boat had run aground.

Sri Lankan navalmen took them to Talaimannar, informed the Indian High Commission about it and requested the ICG to take the crew and boat at IMBL.

The fishermen later told the media that they were treated well by the Sri Lankan navy. They also thanked the Tamil Nadu government for taking steps to secure their release speedily.

Meanwhile, four fishermen, who had put out to sea from Rameswaram on Sunday, have been reported missing and a search has been launched for them.