2 lakh relief for kin of fishermen

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday distributed financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of five fishermen from Rameswaram, who have been languishing in the Lankan prison since last year, at the secretariat.

The Lankan Navy allegedly foisted cases against five fishermen - Emerson, Agustus, Wilson, Prasad and Lanklet - and arrested them on charges of smuggling.

On being informed, CM on December 14, 2011, granted Rs 2 lakh to the Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen Trust to take legal steps to rescue the fishermen. Following this, a petition was filed before the Mallakkam court in Jaffna, seeking bail. However, the court refused to grant bail and they were sent to prison. Later, the CM ordered payment of Rs 7,500 per month to each family from August 6, 2012. Though the aid  had been provided to them, considering the economic condition, the CM granted Rs 2 lakh each to the five families. The family members thanked the CM for her gesture.