Released from Iran, five fishermen from Bhatkal reach homes

Bhatkal, 17 Jan 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: Five fishermen from Uttara Kannada district who were released recently by the Iranian government after they were arrested for allegedly crossing the international border and entering Iranian territory, reached their homes on Wednesday evening. They are among 18 fishermen from the district who were freed. The others belong to Murudeshwar, Honnavar and Ankola.

The fishermen, working for a concern in Dubai, had accidentally entered Kish island within Iran territorial waters on July 27 last year.   Two more boats were later confiscated by Iran on august 25 and September 7. A total of 28 fishermen were held.

With the constant efforts of Dubai Karnataka Forum, Indian embassy, and other organizations, the fishermen were released on January 8 after several months of captivity.

Yakub Samail from Kumta, Ajmal, Inayat, Iliyas Ambady and Khaleel Panipudu, were accorded a warm welcome here on their arrival.