28 T.N. Fishermen Detained by Bahrain Authorities Return to Their Country

In a significant development, twenty-eight fishermen from Idinthakarai, located in Tirunelveli district, have been released by Bahraini authorities after being detained on September 11 for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries. They arrived at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala late on December 18, 2024, as confirmed by officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of both Union and State governments, the fishermen’s imprisonment term was successfully reduced from six months to three months. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured that the fishermen would return to India after completing necessary repatriation formalities.

Upon their return, the fishermen were greeted by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker M. Appavu and Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce, marking a warm homecoming.

Fr. Churchill, general secretary of the South Asian Fishermen Fraternity, expressed deep gratitude towards Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Minister Jaishankar, and other officials for their unwavering support in facilitating the release of the fishermen.