Wednesday, 3 December 2003 |
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32 Indian fishermen freed by Manjula Fernando and Ranga Jayasuriya The LTTE yesterday released 32 Indian fishermen captured in the seas off Mannar, Scandinavian truce monitors said. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokeswoman Agnes Bragadottir said the fishermen have been sent home in a trawler. The other seven trawlers are still in Tiger custody. SLMM acting chief Hagrup Haukland earlier contacted the LTTE head office to demand an immediate release of the fishermen. "He told them this is a delicate situation which can lead to extremely dangerous consequences," Bragadottir told the Daily News. The Tigers arrested the 32 indian fishermen in eight trawlers on Monday afternoon.The Fishermen were brought to shore and detained in "Matha" Church in Vaidathaltheevu, Mannar in the uncleared area. Meanwhile the local fishermen society in Mannar is taking responsibility of arresting the fishermen which will relieve the Tigers from a possible Indian wrath. But Bragadottir said the SLMM has information that the Tigers were involved in the incident which occurred in the seas seven km off Mannar. "Our information says that the sea Tigers are involved in (the incident) and they are holding seven trawlers in their custody demanding a ransom to release them," she said. The pro-LTTE website 'Tamilnet' however quoted Vadathaltheevu Fishermen Society leader as saying that his society was forced to take action as both the Mannar Government Agent and the LTTE had failed to act against the Indian fishermen who poach the Northern waters using banned nets. The intrusion by the Indian fishermen had cost losses in Rs. 5 million to the local fishermen, the local fishermen society said. The fishermen were earlier expected to be handed over to the Sri Lanka police through the Mannar Government Agent. Earlier, the Defence Ministry approached the nordic truce monitors to get the 32 Indian fishermen released, a senior Defence Ministry official said. The Indian High commission was not available for comment. |
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