Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102954260500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chennai fishermen return home safe

Special Correspondent

They had gone missing after setting out from Kasimedu harbour on September 18

CHENNAI: A group of six fishermen who had been rounded up by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for transgressing the territorial waters returned safely to Chennai on Tuesday.

The fishermen had gone missing after setting out in a mechanised boat from the Kasimedu harbour on September 18.

The fishermen, stranded in the high seas after the engine of their boat malfunctioned, were apprehended when they were found adrift on Sri Lankan territorial waters.

Fisheries Minister K. P. P. Samy told a press conference that the release of the fishermen had been made possible by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s relentless pursuit of the issue with the Centre.

The government would work towards implementing a Rs. 57-crore scheme for modernising fishing vessels, including the installation of GPS equipment, with the Central government’s assistance, he said.

Providing identity cards to fishermen was also under consideration.

Mr. Samy said that while it was the wish of everyone that innocent fishermen straying into the neighbouring country should be ensured a safe passage home at the earliest, sometimes their release took months.

“However, it must be noted that as a result of the Sri Lankan government’s positive response to the Tamil Nadu Government’s and the Centre’s concerns about the safety of Tamil fishermen, the situation has vastly improved from what it was a few years ago.”