Steps to free fishermen in Lankan jail

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday stepped up efforts to secure the release of five Tamil Nadu fishermen who were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on November 29. She directed that the officials take up their case in association with an NGO, Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen, and announced that the State government would foot the legal bill.Five fishermen - Emerson, Augustus, Lanklet, Prashanth and Wilson - had set out to sea from Thankatchimadam near Rameswaram on November 28, but their boat developed a snag when they were fishing near Neduntivu. While they were repairing the engine, the Lankan Navy surrounded them and took them into custody. They were taken to Kankesanthurai and charged with smuggling narcotics.They were produced before the Mallagam court on Dec 5 and the case was adjourned to Dec 19. According to reports, they face up to 30 years imprisionment if convicted by the court.Protesting the arrest, fishermen in Rameswaram launched an indefinite strike on November 30. As part of the protest, a large number of fishermen and their leaders observed a token fast at Thankatchimadam on Thursday urging the government to take immediate action for their early release.