12 Indian fishermen in LTTE custody

Thiruvananthapuram, May 2: The Kerala Government today sought the help of the Centre to secure the release of 12 Indian fishermen, including one Simon from Njarakkal in Ernakulam district, from the custody of LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Talking to newspersons here after a meeting of the state Cabinet, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said as per the information available with the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, the 12 fishermen who ventured into the sea from the coast of Neendakara in Kollam district were in the custody of LTTE.

He said the Cabinet decided to sanction Rs 10,000 as immediate relief and a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to the family of Simon. The other fishermen were from Kolachel in neighbouring Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

UNI