CHENNAI: Announcing a solatium of `5 lakh to the family of Karthikeyan, a fisherman of Thirupalaikudi in Ramanathapuram district, shot dead by the Qatar Coast Guard (QCG) on September 21, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Indian Embassies in Qatar and Bahrain to take immediate steps to bring home the body of the deceased besides securing the release of three more fishermen - Aiyyappan, Raju and Samayamuthu, arrested by the QCG.
The Chief Minister, in her letter to the Prime Minister, also requested the Prime Minister to direct the Indian Embassy at Bahrain to take up this matter with the employer of the deceased to ensure that the terminal monetary benefits due to Karthikeyan are released to the family without any delay.
Jayalalithaa said that the four fishermen from Ramanathapuram district were working in Bahrain on contract basis.
In the course of their fishing activities, they inadvertently strayed into Qatari waters when the Qatar Coast Guard opened fire killing one fisherman and arresting three others.
The three fishermen have been detained in the Doha Jail, Qatar.
The body of the Karthikeyan is in the custody of Qatari authorities, Jayalalithaa said.
“These poor, innocent fishermen had gone to Bahrain to earn a meager livelihood and support their families. The family of the deceased fisherman is shattered and seek the early return of his body. The arrested fishermen are the sole breadwinners of their families and if their immediate release is not secured, the fishermen and their families will be put to great financial and mental hardship,” the Chief Minister pointed out.