Shiroor fisherman released

Team Udayavani, Jan 30, 2019, 6:08 AM IST

• 6 months of misery of the prisoner in Iran ends; family relieved
• Fishermen, victims of the hate between countries

Byndoor: Abdul Mohammed Hussain, a fisherman from Shiroor who was incarcerated since the last 6 months in Iran has was released and sent back to India has reached him home in Shiroor on Monday.

Mohammed Hussain from Armi near Karikatte had been working as a sailor since the past 26 years for a fishing boat in Dubai. He was one among 24 persons working together of whom, 18 were from Uttara Kannada district and 7 from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. On July 27^th, the group was arrested by Iranian police on the charges of illegally entering into Iran. Later, after the attempts of Dubai based Muslim groups, NRF and Kundapur Kannada Balaga, 18 persons were released from incarceration. But the imprisonment of Hussain and others continued.

The boat owner had come with us for fishing. The Iranian police arrested us even when we were 9 miles away from Iranian border. A few days back, Abu Dhabi government had arrested 8 Iranian fishermen. We were arrested with the aim to get their release. Iran’s perception was that due to our imprisonment, Dubai might put pressure on Abu Dhabi for the release of the Iranian fishermen, explains Hussain.

The misery

Of the arrested crew, 8 were left on the bopat and the remaining were sent to the prison. Those left back at the boat were under police surveillance. Even in the night when we were asleep,  they would wake us up and count. They had seized the mobiles. But a few fishermen had successfully hidden their mobiles through which I contacted my family, he informs.

Victory to united attempts

The incarcerated are poor and the family members were helpless. Responding to their difficulties, Khaleel Khan, Abu Mohammed Mukti of Canara Muslim Association, NRI president Praveen Kumar Shetty, Shiroor Association, Bhatkal Tanjim and the leaders of many other groups put pressure on both the governments and were successful in releasing the incarcerated fishermen.

We had to cry and scream to get water

 The situation in the jail was horrible. Small room, small restroom. Everyone was suppose to use it. Outside was a high compound wall and there was no roof. They did not provide drinking water properly. Several times, they used to provide a glass of water after we cried and screamed. They used to give only 2 breads. May no one face such hellfire, says Hussain terrified.