Dubai: Bhatkal community leader Dr. SM Khaleel, meets Uttara Kannada fishermen released from Iran after six month's captivity

Dubai 16 January 2019: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Bhatkal community leader Dr. Syed SM Khaleel, on Tuesday hosted fishermen from coastal Karnataka who were kept confined by the Iran authorities for six-months for trespassing into their borders while fishing from a Dubai based boat, and spoke in length to them. The fishermen were on January 8, released and sent back to Dubai, in what came as a relief for the families and acquaintances of the fishermen, here in coastal Karnataka including Bhatkal. 18 fishermen belonging from Uttara Kannada District and five from Ratnagiri were arrested on 27 July 2018, and were since kept in confinement on their own ships at a harbor in Iran. Several organizations including NRI forum were in touch with authorities trying to negotiate the release of the fishermen. However, after nearly six months of the arrest, on January 8, about 4.30 IST all the fishermen along with their sponsor who were also accompanying them on three boats were released and were sent back towards Dubai. The fishermen while in confinement had released several videos on social media, explaining their sufferings and seeking help from authorities in Dubai and India. Dr. SM Syed Khaleel, had earlier too, was in touch with the Indian Embassy in Dubai and the Karnataka NRI Forum to secure the release of the fishermen. On Tuesday, Dr. Khaleel hosted all the fishermen at his home and discussed in length about their experiences and sufferings. Abdul Qadir Basha Ruknuddin, SM Rayees, Moulana Irshad Ali Afrika and others were also present at Dr. Khaleel's residence during the meeting. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)