23 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are stuck in UAE's capital Ajman for the last two years.
23 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are stuck in UAE's capital Ajman for the last two years after they were caught in a legal battle as witnesses of death of an Arab fisherman at sea.
The fishermen claim that their passports have been impounded, as they have been listed as witnesses in an ongoing case seeking compensation by the late Arab fisherman's wife.
Their families, who are seeking government help to bring them back, claim that the fishermen are languishing in a small room without food and legal help. Their petitions to the state, Centre and the local embassy didn't work.
In a video sent by Bala Murugan, one of the fishermen, he said, "A few of our men fell ill. When we asked them to be sent back our owner, they attacked us. We will not be allowed to return home."
Siluvai, another fisherman, had left his family behind to earn some money ahead of his elder daughter's wedding. "Our daughter is still at home as we don't have money for her marriage. My husband is stuck there and he often falls sick. Nobody respects us. None even lends us money," said his wife.
Father Churchil, General Secretary of South Asian Fishermen Fraternity who campaigns for this cause said, "Why is the Indian government not taking lessons from Italy which saved its men accused of murder. Our men are mere innocent witnesses, not even accused ".
The families want the government to mount pressure on UAE and secure the release of the fishermen. With elections nearby, the families hope that the government would intervene now.