The 34 Indian fishermen, released by Sri Lanka, today left for India after spending a night in Jaffna.
"Five boats with 34 Indian fishermen have started sailing off towards International Maritime Border Line (IMBL)," an Indian official here said.
They said that the fishermen were under the care of the Indian consulate in a private accommodation in Jaffna after their release by Kayts Magistrate yesterday.
The officials said that on reaching Jaffna from Kayts, which is an hour drive away, two sick fishermen were immediately taken to a private hospital in Jaffna by officials of the Consulate and given medical care.
"When the two left in the morning for Delft to sail off, they were in a better condition," an official said.
All of the 34 fishermen were given food, clothes, towels, toiletries and required medicines, he added.
"After breakfast today, they were given snacks, bread, fruits and bottled drinking water for their consumption on the way. They are expected to reach their destination this evening," the official said.
Thirty four Indian fishermen were captured on Thursday near islet of Delft in the northern Jaffna district by Lankan Navy for "trespassing and poaching in Sri Lankan waters" while 19 were arrested near northern seas of Mannar on Wednesday.
Reacting to the arrests, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi had on Thursday summoned Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner.
