Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu:
Thirty seven fishermen who were arrested in two batches by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing near Katchateevu recently were brought to Mandapam in Rameswaram after a court in Sri Lanka ordered their release.
An Indian Coast Guard ship received them from a Sri Lankan naval vessel at the International Maritime Bourdary Line (IMBL) and brought them to Mandapam, Fisheries Department sources said.
Mannar court magistrate Aanandhi Kanagarathinam had on Friday ordered the release of the fishermen.
They were arrested on June 19 and July 4 on charges of crossing IMBL.
Talking to reporters, the fishermen thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the Union Government for taking efforts for their release.