Armed Sri Lankan fishermen abducted seven of their counterparts from Tamil Nadu early today off Kodiakarai allegedly for ransom but released them by evening, police here said.
The fishermen from Pamban near here who were in a country boat late last night were intercepted while fishing off Kodiakarai in Nagapattinam District and taken away by the Sri Lankans to an unknown location in the island nation.
Later, the Lankan fishermen using the mobile phones of abducted fishermen called up their relatives and told them they would released only if ransom was paid, though the amount was not specified, Q Branch Police Inspector Kennedy said.
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However, police here received information that the seven fishermen were released this evening, he said.
The Inspector did not know the terms of the release and said they would arrive at Kodiakarai tonight or tomorrow.
Fisheries department officials here remained tightlipped about the incident and release.
Meanwhile, a large group of fishermen who had set sail in 500 mechanised boats last night, returned empty handed today alleging that Sri Lankan naval personnel chased them away and cut the nets in some boats, Kennedy said.
