Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Jan 9: 18 fishermen from Uttara Kannada district, who were under the custody of the coast guard of Iran since the last seven months, were released by that government on Tuesday January 8. These fishermen were facing the allegation of crossing the international border without authorisation and foraying into Iranian territory. 

This has come as a big relief to the families of these fishermen, who were worried about the future of their menfolk. 

Family members of a fisherman in Bhatkal 

These fishermen, who belong to Bhatkal, Kumta, Murdeshwar, Honnavar and Ankola, were working for a fishing boat owned by Mervan from Dubai. On July 27 last year, their boat accidentally violated Iranian border. The fishermen were arrested by Iranian security staff from near Kish Island in Iran. The security staff, who had kept the fishermen in a prison for three days, had thereafter confined them in a boat. 

The arrested fishermen had sent a video clip to the department of external affairs in India, seeking help to get released. The video was also shared through social media. The families who came to know the fate of their breadwinners also took up the matter with the minster for external affairs through the district administration. 

Deputy commissioner of Uttara Kannada, S S Nakul, confirmed that the fishermen have been released after a prolonged wait.