Two fishermen from Jaffna who went missing after setting out to sea have been arrested after being rescued by Tamil Nadu’s Coastal Security Force, after their boat was found drifting near the Thondi fishing harbour in Ramanathapuram district.
The men, both residents of the Gurunagar area in Jaffna, reportedly experienced engine failure while fishing on March 15. Their vessel had drifted across the Palk Strait, eventually entering Indian territorial waters, where they were spotted by Indian coastal patrols and brought safely to shore.
The incident, however, has since triggered an investigation by Tamil Nadu authorities. Though the men stated that mechanical failure was the cause of their unintended journey, the Tamil Nadu police arrested the duo and launched a probe into whether they had illegally crossed into Indian waters with potential links to smuggling activity.
The fishermen remain in custody as the investigation continues.
