THOOTHUKUDI: Eight fishermen from here were detained by the Sri Lankan navy on Wednesday for indulging in fishing activities across the international maritime borders.
The fishermen - Anthony (35), Rubinston (35), Wilred (55), Vijay (29) and Ramesh (37) of Therespuram here, and three others — Arockiyam (35), Vinothan (34) and Packiyam (19) of Siluvaipatty village, ventured for fishing in a boat owned by Vinoth of Therespuram on August 18.
The fishers were scheduled to return to shore on August 22, but were detained along with their boat and handed over to the Kalpitti police in Sri Lanka. Later, they were produced before the Puthalam court and were sent to jail.
On information of the detention, their kin thronged the collectorate here along with about 200 fishermen, and demanded the intervention of the government to ensure the safe release of the fishermen and their boat.
