Sri Lanka releases 9 Indian fishermen

Nine fishermen from here arrested on June 8 by Sri Lankan Navy have been released and were handed over to Indian Coast Guard
personnel at the International Maritime Boundary line in the Palk Strait on Wednesday. The fishermen, who were lodged at the Anuradhapuram Jail in Sri Lanka, were released on the orders of a local court and handed over to the ICG along with two boats. The ICG personnel, in turn, had handed them over to the Indian navy personnel. They would be released from the naval officials custody on Thursday. The fishermen were detained along with the two boats for reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Local fishermen had gone on strike for three days, demanding the release of their colleagues. The state and central governments had intervened and assured them to get the fishermen released.