The South Asian Fishermen Federation (SAFF) and International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET) have appealed to the Centre and the State governments to take immediate action to bring back 35 Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by the Iranian Coast Guard, The Hindu reported.
SAFF General Secretary Fr. Churchil along with the family members of the detained fishermen submitted a memorandum to Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan here on Thursday.
They have sought for a pro-active action to bring back the fishermen who have been detained at the Iranian harbour Bhadher Resthani.
The fishermen – 12 hailing from Kanniyakumari, seven from Tirunelveli and 16 from Ramanathapuram were detained in three batches on August 7, September 22 and December 27 last year by the Iranian Coast Guard when they ventured into sea in boats owned by the sponsors based at Saudi, Bahrain and Dubai on charges of crossing the International Maritime Border Line and entering into Iran waters.
Even though, the Indian fishermen paid the fine of Rs. 13.5 lakh as per the order of the Iran court, the Iranian Coast Guard refused to release the fishermen and their boats, alleged Fr. Churchil.
Fr. Churchil also alleged that the fishermen were denied food, clothing, shelter and medicine.
The fishermen were not even given drinking water, he alleged.
Earlier, INFIDET founder-president P. Justin Antony wrote a mail to the Iranian authorities, the Indian Embassy in Iran, the State and the Centre urging them to take quick action for the release of the fishermen.