Four fishermen from here, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on July 9, were today ordered to be released by a court in the island nation.
The Judicial Magistrate Court in Oorkavalthurai ordered the release of the fishermen, who were detained and remanded to judicial custody for fishing in Sri Lankan waters, Innocent Fishermen's Welfare Association President U Arulanandham said quoting information received by the association.
However, their boat was not released, he added.
Meanwhile, four other fishermen from Jagadapattinam in Pudukottai district, reported missing, were rescued by Sri Lankan fishermen after their boat developed some snag, police said.
The fisheremen were handed over to Sri lankan naval personnel at Nainar Island near Jaffna, Q Branch Police Inspector Kennedy said.
Fellow fishermen who went in search of the four found only their boat and brought it back, he said.
