Edappadi Palaniswami seeks Modi's intervention to secure 15 TN fishers' release
CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has sought the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securing the release of 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen who have been detained by the Iranian Coast Guard.
"I request your personal intervention by instructing the Ambassadors of India in Tehran and United Arab Emirates to provide necessary medical attention and to take effective legal steps to secure the immediate release of these poor innocent fishermen from Tamil Nadu," Mr. Palaniswami said on Monday.
In a D.O. letter dated Jan. 8 addressed to the PM, a copy of which was made available to the media, Mr Palaniswami, who took the "pathetic plight" of fifteen fishermen from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts to the notice of Mr Modi, said the fishermen were arrested and detained by the Iranian Coast Guard.
"These fishermen were engaged in fishing from the Emirate of Dubai fishing base. They ventured into sea for fishing on October 22, 2017 in two mechanized fishing boats and were apprehended by the Iranian Coast Guard on October 24, 2017, when they inadvertently strayed into Iranian waters. The apprehended fishermen are reportedly detained in their fishing boats in KISH Island, Iran for the past two months," the CM explained.
The Iranian Court had imposed fine on the fishermen and the sum was paid by the fishermen with the financial support from their local sponsors from Dubai, UAE.
"One of the fisherman Thiru. Vinistan S/o John Bosco of Kanniyakumari District is diabetic and is also suffering from hypertension. Another fisherman Thiru. Kirostin, S/o. Mariadoss of Thoothukudi district is reportedly having heart problem and is seeking medical intervention. The prolonged incarceration of these poor fishermen who went abroad for earning their humble livelihood, would severely affect their families and dependants in India," Mr Palaniswami said and requested Mr Modi's personal intervention in the issue.
