CHENNAI: The State government should take steps to rescue the fishermen of Tamil Nadu, who have been stranded in Iran, as their employer allegedly forced them into smuggling activities instead of fishing, said G K Vasan, president, Tamil Manila Congress (TMC).
In a statement here on Thursday, Vasan said, “A total of 21 fishermen from Tirunelvi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari went to Iran through a private travel agency for fishing some months ago. There, they were not given proper food and salary. Moreover, they were allegedly forced into smuggling and their passports were also taken away by the employer.
Hence, they are finding it difficult to return to their native places or to continue their profession.” “The state should take steps to rescue the stranded fishermen and mount pressure on the Union government over this issue,” he said