Rameswaram
(TN): A Sri Lankan
court today ordered the release of 19 Indian fishermen, who were arrested by
the Lankan Navy on 13 March for allegedly fishing in that country’s waters,
officials here said. The fishermen, who were lodged in Anuradhapuram Prison,
would arrive either tomorrow or the day after, they said.
Mannar
Judicial Magistrate court Magistrate Sarbuddin ordered their release along with
their four boats. Meanwhile, the Oorkavalthurai court extended upto 19 April
the remand of 26 Indian fishermen from Karaikal, who were arrested on 5 April
for allegedly violating Sri Lanka’s international maritime boundary. The case
relating to the arrest of 30 fishermen from this island on 6 April has been
been posted for hearing on 18 April, officials said.
The
fishermen were arrested and their five mechanised boats seized by the Navy
personnel while fishing near Katchatheevu. The release of the Indians eased
tension as fishermen here had launched agitations including boycotting fishing
seeking their release, said local fishermen association representatives.
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