The Vedaranyam Marine Police in Nagapattinam district arrested two Sri Lankan Tamils on Thursday after they allegedly tried to enter the country as refugees. The arrested were identified as D. Vinodh Kumar, 32, of Kankesanthurai, and J. Sinthuson, 25, of Sunnagam Chunnakam in Jaffna. Both did not have any bona fide documents.
Coastal Security Group sources said a group of fishermen of Arcothurai in Nagapattinam district, who ventured into the sea, the two fishermen stranded in the sea on board a fibre boat which had developed some technical snag. The stranded Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen were found about five nautical miles from Arcothurai shore. The Arcothurai fishermen brought the two Lankan Tamil fishermen along with their fibre boat to the shore.
Acting on information, the Vedaranyam Marine Police conducted inquiries with the two fishermen whose identities were revealed. The two fishermen did not have in their possession any valid documents.
The sources said the two fishermen had reportedly paid ₹1 lakh to an agent to take them to Tamil Nadu in a fibre boat in order to settle as a refugee. As their boat developed repair midway, the agent apparently called another boat and went away in that leaving the two fishermen stranded in mid-sea in their boat. The Vedaranyam police have registered a case against the two Sri Lankan Tamils.
Published – August 14, 2025 06:44 pm IST
