Centre working for release of Indian fishermen in Lanka

The Centre today told the Madras High Court that it was working steadfastly in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders for expeditious release and repatriation of Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka.
Counsel for the Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Prafulla Chandra submitted that whenever there were reports about arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, Indian officials from the High Commission of India in Colombo and consulate in Jaffna remained in touch with the fishermen. It had also extended all possible legal and consular assistance to them.
The Indian officials also provided them legal assistance, clothes and medicines, the counsel submitted.

The official was responding to a Habeas Corpus petition filed by NGO Meenavar Urima Kootamaippu's (Fishermen's Rights Federation) state organiser C J Rajan seeking to produce three fishermen - Daniel, Esron and Wilson, who were missing since August 25, 2014 after they went for fishing.
Sri Lankan officials were telling that they had not been arrested by them. Both Indian and Sri Lankan navy conducted an extensive search and rescue operation in the area. But the missing fishermen could not be located. Another fishermen, who was also reported missing with them, had been traced and he had brought back to the shore, the official said.

The official added that the fishermen's issue was a complex one and it involved both humanitarian and livelihood issues. The Indian government continuously remained engaged with the Sri Lankan government to ensure that the fishermen of both sides continued to pursue their livelihood safe.

The Sri Lankan government had released all 1640 fishermen nabbed during 2012, 2013 and 2014. It had released 177 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy this year and now efforts were on to release the 14 fishermen in Sri Lanka.
Justices A Selvam and V S Ravi posted the case for hearing in August without mentioning a date.

Tamil Nadu Assistant Director of Fisheries K T Gopinath submitted that the families of the missing fishermen were being paid Rs 250 per day as relief. They were also pursuing the efforts to trace them with the help of Centre, he submitted.