Fishermen released by SCG seek aid

March 06, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:49 am IST - NAGERCOIL:

Fishermen released by Seychelles Coast Guard have asked for financial help. South Asian Fishermen Fraternity submitted a petition to the Collector on Thursday.

Fishermen released by Seychelles Coast Guard have asked for financial help. South Asian Fishermen Fraternity submitted a petition to the Collector on Thursday.

Eleven of the 19 fishermen from Kanyakumari district released by the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) have appealed to the Chief Minister to extend financial help for their sustenance.

Eleven fishermen released by the SCG submitted a petition to the Collector, Sajjansingh R. Chavan, here on Thursday demanding financial help for their livelihood till release of their two mechanised boats.

In a petition submitted to the Collector, Fr. Churchill, general secretary, South Asian Fishermen Fraternity (SAFF), appealed to the Chief Minister to extend financial help to the families of fishermen, as they had to wait for employment till their boats were released. One of the released fishermen, A. Jenish (24), told reporters that they became unemployed in the absence of their boats, now under the custody of SCG.

Since their arrest on January 15, the fishermen were kept in their boats anchored near the seashore. The two captains, S. Greeces of Eraviputhanthurai and M. Jerine of Colachel, were arrested and kept in prison.

Mr. Jenish said that all the arrested fishermen, including seven from Kerala, were kept in their boats. The SCG treated them well and provided food on all days.

Eight fishermen, who fell sick in custody, were admitted to a hospital in the island with the help of Tamil families. ``We were happy about the hospitality given by the Tamil families in Seychelles during the last week of our custody. The families gave us delicious home made food,’’ the fishermen said.

Embassy officials from Seychelles often visited the fishermen and kept them informed about the steps taken by the Union government for their release. The fishermen were released on February 27 and they managed to reach the shore on February 28.

The Union government made all arrangements for their release and travel to Kanyakumari, the fishermen said. They reached their native village on Wednesday night. The fishermen and their families and the SAFF thanked the Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan for his efforts for their release.

The seven fishermen from Kerala met the Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. They were given Rs. 10,000 as immediate relief by the Kerala government on Wednesday, Fr. Churchill said.

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