Twenty-four fishermen from Thoothukudi returned home after being released from detention in the Maldives, following discussions between Indian and Maldivian government officials over the seizure of three fishing boats and the arrest of 26 crew members.
The fishermen had left Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi district for deep-sea fishing on the 13th when Maldivian naval personnel detained the three mechanised boats. All 26 fishermen on board were arrested, according to a report by Dinamalar – Tamil Nadu.
The Maldivian authorities imposed fines of up to Rs 5 crore on the three boats. The detention created concern among the fishermen’s relatives, who appealed for the safe release of both the crew and the vessels. The case required coordination between the Central government and the Maldivian authorities because the fishermen, boats and penalties were subject to action outside India’s jurisdiction.
After the discussions between officials, 24 fishermen were released. They travelled by air to Thiruvananthapuram and then reached Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi by road the following day. The Tamil Nadu government covered their travel expenses, according to the report.
The return of the fishermen resolves the immediate concern for most of the families, but the three boats remain linked to the dispute over the fines. The fishermen said the Central government had filed an appeal seeking removal of the penalty imposed on the boats. The report does not provide details of the legal process, the status of the vessels or the next hearing or review date.
Two fishermen have not yet returned. According to the fishermen quoted in the report, they are from a Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camp and are expected to be brought back to their hometowns soon. Their separate status has kept the repatriation process open even after the return of the other 24 crew members.
The incident highlights the administrative chain involved when fishing crews from Tamil Nadu are detained in another country: families seek intervention, Indian authorities negotiate with the foreign government, and the state government supports the immediate return journey. It also leaves the boat owners facing a separate question over the reported fines and the recovery of the seized vessels.
The immediate next steps are the return of the remaining two fishermen and the appeal by the Central government against the penalties imposed on the three boats.
