15 Tamil Nadu fishermen released by Sri Lankan court

Rameswaram (TN), Nov 25: Fifteen

fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan Naval personnel on October 19, were on Monday ordered to be released by a court in Jaffna in the island nation.

The fishermen, hailing from Pudukottai, were produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court which ordered their release. However, four boats impounded by the Lankan navalmen had not been released, officials here said quoting information received by them.

The fishermen would return on Monday or Tuesday

The fishermen would return on Monday or Tuesday, they added. Meanwhile, a local fishermen association alleged that a group of fishermen who put out to sea from here in 708 boats this morning were attacked by Sri Lankan naval personnel near Katchatheevu.

The navalmen allegedly snapped the fishing nets of ten boats, Rameswaram Fishermen's Association President S Emiret told reporters.

The naval personnel also detained two boats but let them after a severe warning, he claimed. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has been voicing concern over the detention of Indian fishermen and in her latest letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh she insisted that India use highest diplomatic channels to secure release of 80 fishermen and 47 fishing boats detained by the Sri Lankan authorities.

PTI