Released fisherman returns to despair

The son of Jeyaseelan, one of the arrested fishermen, had died during his incarceration and this prompted calls to free the father so that he was able to attend the funeral.  

Four fishermen, Jeyaseelan, Muniyandi, Seeni Ibrahim Sha and Pradeep, were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on January 17, when they were fishing in a mechanised boat in Sri Lankan waters. They were remanded and were kept in Sri Lankan prisons. In the meantime, Stephen, son of Jeyaseelan, who was ailing had died on Thursday. Kin of Stephen had demanded the state and central governments to take immediate steps to release Jeyaseelan so that he could attend the funeral ceremony of his son. 

The Indian government took up the issue with Sri Lankan government and arranged for immediate release of Jeyaseelan. 

Following that, Jeyaseelan along with three other fishermen were summoned at the court and were issued release order. Unexpectedly, one of the fishermen, Pradeep, informed the court that he was a Sri Lankan and had gone to Tamil Nadu before 10 years as refugee. He did not want to go to Tamil Nadu and wished to stay back in Sri Lanka, officials said. 

Following that three remaining fishermen were handed over to Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), following which they were taken to ICG station at Mandapam. In ICG station at Mandapam the kin of Jeyaseelan welcomed him with tears and took him to their house. However, Stephen was buried a day earlier on Friday.