Fishermen say they were not harassed by Lankan police

Rameswaram, Feb 2 (UNI) Twelve Tamil Nadu fishermen, who returned here after they were released by the Sri Lankan government, today said they were not harassed by the Lankan Police and were served full meals in prison, three times daily.

Interacting with the District officials and from the Fisheries Department upon their return here, the fishermen said they were lodged in Jaffna prison where they were well taken care of by the officials.

''They did not harass us. In fact we were treated to three meals a day in prison'', the fishermen said.

The 12 fishermen--Baalu, Anthony, Xavier and others--hailing from Rameswaram were fishing on the high seas in three boats when they were abducted by Lankan navy on January 29 and lodged in jail.

Thanks to the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu goverment, they were released and handed over to the Indian Coast Guard on January 31.

They said the Lankan navy had taken all their catch and paid them Rs 4,500. ''Of this, we spent Rs 500. We gave the balance to the local authorities for converting into Indian currency''.

UNI XR-GV JT AS1624