129 freed Myanmar fishermen brought back from India

YANGON - A total of 129 out of 249 Myanmar fishermen, who had served their prison terms in India after being detained for illegally entering that country's territorial waters, have been released and brought back home, official media reported Wednesday.

The return of the first batch of the Myanmar fishermen, held at Open Distress Camp of India, came after several rounds of negotiations with the Indian authorities.

They arrived at the Yangon International Airport Tuesday, the report said, adding that the remaining fishermen will return on Thursday by chartered flight.

The Myanmar fishermen were arrested by the Indian navy while floating in the territorial waters of India due to a storm and engine failure.