Sri Lanka on Friday released the 54 Indian fishermen who had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday. The release came days after the Indian government reportedly expressed its displeasure and insisted on their release.

The fishermen along with their trawlers were released on Friday in three batches of 20, 20, and 14. Local authorities in Jaffna had reportedly resisted the decision to release them following which high-ranking Sri Lankan officials intervened.

“Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs  (India) had made it clear that the arrest of fishermen coming on the heels of the UNHRC resolution was seen as a hostile move,” reported Economynext.

Following their arrests on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government and the Indian government to secure their release. They had even threatened to boycott the upcoming assembly elections if the government failed to secure their return.

In the south Indian state, the fishermen’s lobby is an electorally important segment.

Released fishermen, upon their return to the state, thanked the government of India, the state government, and also Sri Lankan authorities for their swift release.