The villagers of Tharuvaikulam are keeping their fingers crossed as uncertainty looms over the release of 12 fishermen who were detained by the Maldivian Coast Guard along with their boat on charges of poaching on October 23.
The fishermen of the village said they were engaged in multi-day, deep sea fishing, which was supported by the Union government. The boat was expensive, costing around ₹1.50 crore. “Detaining the boat and releasing the 12 fishermen will not serve any purpose,” Pugazhmani, a fisherman, told The Hindu.
Though Thoothukudi Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi and Union Minister L. Murugan have promised action to ensure the safe passage of the 12 fishermen, the villagers are hoping for the release of the impounded boat as well.
