Ten Indian fishermen released

Mannar District Judge released 10 Indian fishermen along with their boats after the Government dropped charges of poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters, officials said yesterday.

The fishermen, arrested on September 12, were freed by the Mannar District Court on Friday with orders to hand them over to Tamil Nadu authorities with their two trawlers, in a few days. The release is being seen as a reciprocal gesture for the release of 10 Sri Lankan fishermen along with five boats by India on Friday.