Tamil Nadu: 24 Tharuvaikulam fishermen detained in Maldives return home safely

Twenty-four fishermen from Tharuvaikulam fishing village in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, detained by the Maldives Coast Guard, have returned home safely. The fishermen were taken on October 13 after venturing into the deep sea for fishing in three mechanised boats. Tamil Nadu’s district information and public relations office said the state government coordinated for their release through the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in the Maldives, following the directions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and continuous efforts by the Fisheries minister. All 24 were released and brought back on November 8, with Tamil Nadu covering air travel and Thoothukudi Fisheries Department officials receiving them at Thiruvananthapuram airport.