More than a month after they were killed in a shooting allegedly by pirates while fishing in Saudi Arabia, the bodies of two Mayiladuthurai district fishermen were repatriated to their native villages in Sirkazhi taluk on Thursday after completing the necessary formalities.

The mortal remains of the two fishermen reached the Tiruchi International Airport from Saudi Arabia by a Sri Lankan Airlines flight in the morning. P. Maveeran, 39, of Thoduvai fishing village, and G. Shankar, 39, of Keezhamoovarkarai fishing village, were part of a group of four Tamil Nadu fishermen engaged in fishing in Saudi Arabia on the night of August 10 when they were allegedly shot by pirates.

While Maveeran was killed on the spot, Shankar suffered bullet injuries in the stomach and was admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia where he died on August 20. The families of both fishermen had sought quick repatriation of bodies and submitted petitions to the Mayiladuthurai district administration which took up the issue with the State government. The State government got in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Meanwhile, the State government provided ₹10 lakh as solatium from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund to each of the families of the two fishermen in August. 

Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare A. Srinath paid respects to the mortal remains of the two fishermen on Thursday after it reached the Tiruchi international airport by a Sri Lankan Airlines flight.  The bodies were sent to the respective villages by ambulance from the airport.

Mr. Srinath told reportes at the airport that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay regularly took up the issue with the External Affairs Ministe.  The State government would provide all the necessary assistance and support to the two bereaved families, the Minister added.