20 fishermen to be handed over to Lankan navy

Madurai, Feb 19 (PTI) Twenty Sri Lankan fishermen, who
were arrested on December 14 for entering Indian waters, will
be handed over to the Lankan navy, official sources said.

They said that a probe was conducted and it was found
that the fishermen, who were taken into custody and their
boats seized after they crossed the International Maritime
Boundary Line, were innocent.

"As there is no suspicion about their intention when they
crossed into Indian territory, it was decided to release
them," an official said.

The fishermen were released last evening and they are
likely to be handed over to the Sri Lankan navy Thursday. PTI