Twelve Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy last week for entering the country's territorial waters, were ordered to be released by a court in the island nation on Wednesday, officials in Rameshwaram said.
The fishermen, hailing from Rameshwaram, would be released from a Jaffna prison on Thursday. Following the development, local fishermen, who have been boycotting fishing activities since last week demanding the release of their colleagues, decided to withdraw their agitation.
They would resume fishing activities from Friday, officials said.
The fishermen were arrested on January 22 for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing near Kachativu, an island in the Palk Straits with abundant fish wealth.
The arrest was raised in the assembly on Monday when the government assured the community that it would secure their release and also seek restoration of fishermen's rights to fish in Kachativu, which was handed over to Sri Lanka under an agreement in 1974.
The 12 fishermen would be escorted by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel upto to the IMBL and handed over to the Indian Coastguard. Three boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy may also be released, officials said.