India withdraws case against Lankan fishermen

Shirley WIJESINGHE
The Indian Government yesterday decided to withdraw the Court case against fishermen detained under the custody of its Coast Guard Force in the Andaman Islands.
This follows a top level discussion held with Indian Government, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Neomal Perera told the Daily News.
The discussion was held by a special Sri Lankan delegation under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Ministry will take all arrangements to bring them back to Sri Lanka after being released by the Indian Coast Guard, the Deputy Minister said.
There were 184 detainees in the custody of the Indian Coast Guard Force including the 51 detainees in Andaman Islands.

News Source: Dailynews


As National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) we are really happy to see the progress of this fishermen's issue in Andaman Island those who were taken in to custody in 08th February 2009 as they crossed the indian sea boarder.

After 8 months we couldn't see any practical involvement of the Sri Lankan Government to get them release and the family members were in a difficult position to mange even their day today lives after becoming them prisiners in India. At that time we had to involve to support fisher people becoming campaingners of the protest they held near the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourcess last month and we beleive that, we could awake responsible authorities to involve in this matter practiclally.