Hopes for Tamil Nadu fishermen's release brighten

KANYAKUMARI: Hopes for the release of four fishermen from this coastal town and one from Kerala detained in Iran have brightened with the intervention of Indian embassy officials and support of the fishing firm that employed them.

Sasi Louis, Arokiam, Anthonis, Antony (all from Tamil Nadu) and Thadeuse (Thiruvananthapuram), employed with a Qatar fishing firm, were detained by Iranian authorities on September 22 for allegedly fishing in their territory. Together, they were later fined Rs 5.5 lakh.

"The senior officials in Indian embassies in Qatar and Iran have made good efforts for the release of Indian fishermen," President, Tamil Nadu Fishermen Development Trust, P Justin Antony told PTI today.

Food, clothes and medicine have been provided to the fishermen, he added. "The Deputy Chief of Mission in Iran has written to me in this regard," he said.

Initially, the owner of the fishing firm that employed the five fishermen had shown indifference in getting them released.

"Now, the firm is understood to have come forward to consider paying the fine and get them released," Antony said.

The familes of the fishermen and the aid organisation had appealed to authorities and later Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, requesting intervention to ensure their release.