DMK demands release of jailed fishermen in Iran

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party on Sunday demanded release of eighteen Tamil fishermen who have been languishing in Iranian jail since last year.

The eighteen Indian fishermen were arrested on December 16, 2012 for trespassing into Iranian waters and have been jailed since then.

The fishermen were working with a Trawler company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and were sailing in the sea when they reportedly entered Iranian waters.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha had recently written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting for mediation process with Iran.

The DMK party spokesperson, T. S. Elangovan said that one of their legislators had raised the issue earlier in the state assembly. It was also being followed by other political parties.

Elangovan said the fishermen were ignorant about the maritime boundaries therefore they unintentionally strayed into Iranian waters.

"The government of India has discussed this matter with the Iranian government. And I think the Chief Minister is following it up with another letter. It is the duty of the Government of India to give proper protection to our fishermen. They were not well aware of these maritime boundaries. So, they should be released, they should be warned and sent back. That is how the government should act with regard to fishermen," he said.

It is yet to be seen how promptly the Indian government would be able to resolve this matter with the Iranian government.