CM urged to ensure return of fishermen jailed in Iran, Myanmar

Families of fishermen from Kanniyakumari who’re locked away in an Iranian jail have urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to take steps to get hold of their launch.

Sahana, sister of Sahaya Vijay of Pallam, one of those that have been arrested after they have been on a Kuwait fishing boat that had sailed into Iranian waters, stated the well being of 9 fishermen have been in a foul situation.

“They are all youngsters but their health has deteriorated over the last year. The parents of three of the men have passed away while waiting for them. We have submitted petitions to all concerned and even paid around ₹4 lakh to an advocate to bring them back,” she stated. Ms. Sahana stated that the households now hoped that the brand new authorities headed by Mr. Stalin would prolong a serving to hand to the lads, who’re serving a three-year time period in that nation.

P. Justin Antony, founder president, International Fishermen Development Trust, stated the fishermen have been arrested in January 2020 for trespassing into Mahshahr close to oil platforms coast, Khuzestan Province. They have been imprisoned in Bushehr Jail, Iran. “The families have not spoken to the men but get WhatsApp voice messages from time to time,” he stated whereas urging the Union and State governments to take steps to deliver the lads again.

In Myanmar jail

Similarly, households of fishermen who’ve been arrested and imprisoned in Myanmar have urged the federal government to get hold of their early launch. Ten males, together with eight Tamils and two Bengalis, who have been on a ship from Andaman, have been arrested a month in the past by the Myanmar Navy since that they had entered that nation’s waters whereas fishing.

Boat proprietor Sekar, who hails from Virudhunagar district, stated that the lads had let their longline gillnet in the ocean and it had moved with the currents in a single day into Myanmar waters. “They did not go there with an intent to fish but only to retrieve the net. Our country lets go fishermen from neighbouring countries when they stray into our waters. But unfortunately they don’t reciprocate it when it comes to our men,” he stated. His boat and nets price ₹80 lakh had been stranded in Myanmar together with the lads.

Parthiban, brother of Jayaseelan and Raja, who hail from Paramakudi and are actually in a Myanmar jail, stated they needed the fishermen to be launched as quickly as attainable. “Till last week, we did not even know that they were arrested. We have submitted petitions to local MP and MLAs urging the government to take steps to bring them back,” he stated.

Balaji, a ship proprietor from Kasimedu, whose boat is caught in Myanmar, stated fortunately he managed to deliver again his males after that they had drifted into their waters when the engine broke down. “There are many instances of fishermen getting stuck in prisons in neighbouring countries due to straying into their waters. We need a system by which we can quickly bring back the men when they get stuck,” he stated.