A batch of 51 Indian fishermen, who were released by Sri Lanka after being arrested on the charge of poaching fish in the island waters, arrived at Mandapam near Rameswaram on Thursday. All the 51 fishermen along with a boat were received by the Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Rajkamal near the Indo-Lankan maritime border around 12.30 pm, an official release said. The fishermen from here were later brought to Mandapam and handed over to state fisheries department officials, it said. Sri Lankan Navy personnel had arrested 82 fishermen on June 7 after they allegedly entered the island nation waters. However, they were ordered to be released by President Mahinda Rajapakse in a goodwill gesture. Indian Coast Guard has repatriated 680 fishermen since January this year.
