CHENNAI: State government officials are hopeful of soon making progress in repatriating 21 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are currently stranded in Iran. An official from the Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils told Express that the State government has taken up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide the fishermen the required papers so that they can be repatriated. “In the next couple of days we are hopeful that some breakthrough would be achieved,” the official, who is interacting with MEA, said.
The official said the State government has urged MEA to get in touch with Iranian officials in Bandar Abbas to help get back the passports of fishermen which are in their employer’s custody.
“The State government will bear all travel and accommodation cost to bring the fishermen back,” the official said.
It is learnt that the fishermen were allegedly cheated by Indian agents Mangala Travels and one Antony, an unregistered agent, of Rajakamangalam in Kanniyakumari district and taken to Dubai on a visit visa, according to National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM), an NGO which is coordinating with the State, MEA and the fishermen’s families.
Antony had recruited the fishermen with the help of Mangala Travels by getting huge money for air tickets and visas. They were initially provided tourist visas to Dubai wherein they stayed from December 7 to 12.
On December 12, Antony provided tickets to travel to Bushehr. Once they arrived in Bushehr, their passports were withheld and they were given residence card to be in Iran. Sponsor Mohamad Sala allegedly denied them salary for the six months and when they demanded the documents they were evicted from their residence.
Stranded
Official said the State government has urged the ministry of external affairs to get in touch with Iranian officials in Bandar Abbas to help get back the passports of fishermen which are in their employer’s custody