Sri Lanka releases 47 Indian fishermen

Chennai, Mar 8 (UNI) Sri Lanka today released 47 of the 62 fishermen, who were detained by its navy yesterday.

An official release said the Sri Lankan Government had ordered the release of 47 Indian fishermen, hailing from Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

They will return to India tomorrow, the release added.

The release of the fishermen followed a detailed letter written by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who expressed anguish over the incident, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He urged him to take steps through the External Affairs Ministry for their release.

It may be recalled that 62 fishermen, hailing from Chinnathurai village in Thoothur of Kanniyakumari district, were detained by the Lankan Navy yesterday while they were fishing in mid-sea.

They were detained for allegedly fishing in the Lankan waters after inadvertently crossing the Indian Maritime Boundary Line.

The Lankan Navy had also detained six boats in which the fishermen were fishing.

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