Nagapattinam: More than 106 fishermen belonging to three fishing hamlets here were allegedly abducted by Sri Lankan fishermen on Tuesday.
Representatives of fishermen's associations said the missing fishermen had ventured into sea in 18 fishing boats on February 12.
While fishing off Kodiakarai coast on February 15, a group of Sri Lankan fishermen reportedly abducted them and took them to Vadamarachi in Jaffna district in that country, they claimed.
All the fishermen were reportedly handed over to the Lankan authorities, they said.
Official sources said tension prevailed at Akkaraipettai, Keechakuppam (Nagapattinam District) and Seruthur (Karaikal District) hamlets soon after the news reached the villagers.
Fishermen representatives, who convened an emergency meeting here, said they would meet Chief Minister M Karunanidhi tomorrow seeking steps to secure the release of the fishermen.
Thousands of fishermen of Nagapattinam did not venture into the sea tonight in protest against the incident.