IRANIAN BOAT INTERCEPTED OFF KOYILANDY COAST, SIX INDIAN FISHERMEN HELD

NEW DELHI: The Indian Coast Guard intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel off the coast of Koyilandy in Kerala on Sunday, six fishermen from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, were taken into custody from the boat, as per coastal police.

"The boat went out of fuel when it reached Koyilandy. All those who were taken into custody were fishermen who had gone to Iran from Kanyakumari for fishing around one and half years ago," a police officer said.

Based on preliminary assumption, the police officer said that the fishermen were attempting to return to their hometown after fleeing from Iran due to poor working conditions.

"As per their statement, they were not getting any salary and were suffering ill-treatment in Iran. They said they even had to suffer physical assault from the employer. So they escaped in the same boat they had been engaged in fishing," he said.

The boat is now under the custody of the Coast Guard and and the six fishermen have been transported to Kochi for further investigation, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)