Amravati, September 30 (IANS) Four fishermen from Andhra Pradesh, who went home in Sri Lanka for 52 days after flowing in the nation due to navigation error, returned home on Tuesday.
Of. Srinu Venkatswar, Karri Nukraj Boria, Chanda Najwar Rao and Brahmanandam reached Kakinada by boat. Kakinada MP Uday Srinivas and local MLA Kondbabu received him.
Happy when returning home after about two months, fishermen thanked the TDP -led coalition government for its release efforts.
The boat carrying fishermen left Sri Lankan coast for Kakinada on 27 September.
The fishermen went to Nagapattinum to buy a fishing traler with another hand, but while returning home, they were swept away by a GPS error in Sri Lankan water.
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested fishermen on 4 August for illegally entering their water, and since then, they were recorded in Jaffna Jail.
On September 12, a civil court in Jaffna ordered the release of Andhra fishermen.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. Following the initiative by Achananadu and Kakinada MPs, officials of AP Bhawan in Delhi approached the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
Commissioner Arja Srikanth, resident of Andhra Pradesh, also made efforts through the Indian Coast Guard Office in Delhi.
The Sri Lankan Coast Guard handed over the fishermen to the Indian coast guard at the Mandapam camp on 26 September and from there they left for Kakinada.
The fishermen were returned through the sea route according to the Sri Lankan rules. The Indian Coast Guard Unit took him to Kakinada.
Minister Attnanadu expressed his happiness on the safe return of fishermen. He made Chief Minister N. Raised the issue with Chandrababu Naidu and arranged for his return.
Officials said that if the state government had not responded rapidly, the fishermen would have to spend six months in jail.
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MS/VD