Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (MS)

Karwar, Oct 14: A court in Iran released six fishermen of Uttara Kannada district, who were arrested by the security forces of Iran for violating the water territory of their country. The other 12 fishermen who were arrested are also likely to be released on Sunday, October 14.

The fishermen who were arrested are of Kumta and Bhatkal origin and had gone for fishing in the sea from Dubai. The six people who are released on Saturday, October 13 were kept in jail for 50 days.

It might be recalled that 11 fishermen and seven fishermen left for fishing from Dubai on July 27, 2018 and August 25, 2018 respectively. During the fishing they entered the prohibited area in Iranian water space to catch tiger fish. The Iranian security force personnel who saw these fishermen, arrested them along with their boats.

Six among the 18 fishermen that were arrested were sent to prison. Rest 12 people were kept in the boat itself. One of them made a video and sent the same to a person in Uttara Kannada district and said that they have been arrested by the Iran coast guards and sought help.

Sanjim, who saw the video, brought the plight of the arrested fishermen to the notice of the leaders of the fishermen organization. Then they sent an appeal to foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and requested her to interfere and release the fishermen. Sushma held a discussion with the government of Iran. As a result six of the fishermen were released on Saturday, October 13 and the rest 12 are expected to be released soon.