MADURAI: Fifteen

who were fishing in three mechanised boats were detained by the

(ICG) on Wednesday, on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). However, the fishermen, who were to be handed over to the

on Thursday were reportedly handed over to the Sri Lankan enforcement officials due to coronavirus (Covid-19) scare.

Marine police sources said the boats were spotted about 70 nautical miles (130km), south of

Kanyakumari

.

A communication from the ICG, Tuticorin, said that they apprehended three boats - Sugandhi, Seral and Netmi - during a security patrol for violation of sections 3 and 7 of The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.

Escorted by ICG ship Abiraj, they were expected to reach the Tuticorin harbour around 11.30am on Thursday and handed over to the marine police for questioning. It is learnt that they were taken back to the IMBL due to global Covid-19 outbreak.

ICG officials in Tuticorin were not available for comment on the reason behind releasing the Lankan fishermen.

The marine police said that a stretch between 100 to 150 nautical miles south of Kanyakumari is a wedge bank for mechanised boats from Sri Lanka. They suspected that the men could have accidentally crossed the IMBL while fishing.

Marine police sources added that fishermen were also not involved in smuggling or activities that posed a threat to India’s national security, following which the ICG handed them over to the Lankan navy.