4 months ago
2
Families and relatives of 10 Pamban fishermen, who are being held successful a Sri Lankan prison, connected Saturday staged a roadworthy blockade successful Pamban here, demanding their contiguous release.
On August 5 last, 10 fishermen acceptable sail from the Pamban sportfishing harbour. They were subsequently arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy connected charges of crossing the maritime boundary.
In September, a Sri Lankan tribunal ordered them to wage a good totalling ₹1.40 crore. The tribunal further ruled that failing to wage the good would effect successful 18 months of imprisonment, starring to their existent incarceration successful a Sri Lankan jail. After much than 5 months successful custody, the wellness of the fishermen had reportedly deteriorated, the protesters said.
In response, their families and relatives staged a protest, blocking the Madurai-Dhanushkodi National Highway adjacent the Pamban autobus stand. The protestation caused a important postulation jam, with vehicles heading to and from Rameswaram lined up for implicit fractional an hour.
The blockade ended aft the Assistant Director of Fisheries from Pamban arrived astatine the spot. He informed the protesters that the Indian authorities had filed an entreaty successful the Sri Lankan High Court successful Colombo seeking the fishermen’s release.
He assured them that the lawsuit had been taken up for proceeding and a verdict was expected soon, pursuing which the families dispersed.
