In a major development ahead of the ensuing New Year, the Lankan Government has released 20 Tamil fishermen along with their fishing boats which were seized earlier.

The 20 fishermen, who had been indulged in deep-sea fishing off the Indian Ocean near Karaikkal, were intercepted by Lankan Navy personnel who were travelling in a boat. They attacked the fishermen before arresting them and handing them over to a local Court in Lanka which remanded them to judicial custody.

Arresting Tamil fishermen without any premise has been a regular occurrence off Indian shores. Fishermen, who are attacked, humiliated and put in prison on Lankan shores, have often wondered why neither the might of the Indian Navy nor the Coast Guard comes to their rescue as time and again Lankan Navy strikes at will in an unprovoked manner.

The 20 fishermen, who were released along with their fishing boats and fishing nets, landed up in Karaikkal yesterday from where they are expected to be sent to their respective native places in time to celebrate New Year along with their family members.