Chennai:
It was a safe homecoming for 23 Indian fishermen from Rameswaram who were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy last Sunday; however, they had a few horror stories to share with some of the alleging that they were ill-treated in Sri Lanka.
Tyson one of the fishermen who returned said, "The Lankan navy arrested us and took away our five boats at gun point in Indian waters. We were not allowed to speak at all. Even at the court when the judge said we have been arrested on charges of trespassing into Lankan waters, they did not let us speak. Even those accused of murder are not treated this way".
Many of the released fishermen have said that they were handcuffed and shut in toilets
The men and their five boats were released yesterday following the Centre's intervention. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa too had increased pressure on the Centre to take all necessary steos to secure the fishermen's release.
Coincidently, the fishermen were arrested after the Indian cricket team scored a victory against Sri Lanka last week. Fishermen say Indian fishermen are attacked whenever Sri Lanka loses to India and they are now demanding a ban on cricket ties between India and the island nation.
A few days ago Lankan authorities had claimed that the Indian fishermen were arrested for straying into Lankan waters. When NDTV contacted Lankan authorities on allegations made by the Indian fishermen, they refrained from commenting.
Tyson one of the fishermen who returned said, "The Lankan navy arrested us and took away our five boats at gun point in Indian waters. We were not allowed to speak at all. Even at the court when the judge said we have been arrested on charges of trespassing into Lankan waters, they did not let us speak. Even those accused of murder are not treated this way".
Many of the released fishermen have said that they were handcuffed and shut in toilets
The men and their five boats were released yesterday following the Centre's intervention. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa too had increased pressure on the Centre to take all necessary steos to secure the fishermen's release.
Coincidently, the fishermen were arrested after the Indian cricket team scored a victory against Sri Lanka last week. Fishermen say Indian fishermen are attacked whenever Sri Lanka loses to India and they are now demanding a ban on cricket ties between India and the island nation.
A few days ago Lankan authorities had claimed that the Indian fishermen were arrested for straying into Lankan waters. When NDTV contacted Lankan authorities on allegations made by the Indian fishermen, they refrained from commenting.
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