Coast Guard repatriates 34 Lankan fishermen

Chennai: Coast Guard (Eastern region) on Saturday repatriated 34 Sri Lankan fishermen who were in custody for alleged violation of the International maritime boundary line.

As part of the repatriation process, Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajkamal brought the Lankan fishermen to Karaikal port today and handed them over to Sri Lankan authorities at the IMBL.

"Subsequent to mutual understanding between India and Sri Lanka, Coast Guard undertook repatriation of 34 Sri Lankan fishermen today. These Sri Lankan fishermen were in custody for IMBL violation," an official release said.

Meanwhile, two Indian fishermen, who drifted away due to inclement weather in the Bay of Bengal, were repatriated by Sri Lankan authorities. The two fishermen along with the boat would reach Karaikal port later tonight, it said.

The repatriation process was coordinated by Indian Coast Guard station Karaikal, marine police and Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission Representative, Indraka, it added.