Five Lankan fishermen repatriated

Five Sri Lankan fishermen were repatriated to their country on Saturday following Centre's intervention. They were nabbed by the Coast Guard on April 30 for entering Indian waters.

"They were handed over to the Coast Guard, who escorted them to Sri Lanka water territory," said superintendent of police (Jagatsinghpur) Satyabrata Bhoi.

Sources said it was a goodwill gesture on part of the Centre as recently the Sri Lanka government released many Indian fishermen arrested for illegally fishing in Sri Lanka waters.

"Officers of Sri Lankan high commission met police officials in Paradip and furnished documents for repatriation of the five fishermen," said Bhabagrahi Rout, an officer of the marine police station in Paradip.

On April 4, the Coast Guard had intercepted a Sri Lankan vessel and taken into custody four of its crew. They were later released.(Times of India)