Aceh fishermen still in India

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Relatives of three Aceh fishermen who have been stranded on the Andaman-Nikobar island in the Indian Ocean for a year are appealing to Governor Syamsuddin Mahmud to send money to cover their airfares home.

They each need Rp 7 million, Nurdinsyam, an uncle of one of the three fishermen, told Antara.

The fishermen -- Darlin, Djauhari and Tarzan -- from Meulaboh in West Aceh strayed in late 1995 and were arrested by the Indian authorities for illegal fishing. They have been held at the Port Blair immigration office since.

Nurdinsyam said they have completed their prison terms but could not leave because they did not have the money for their airfares. The three were doing hard labor, but their income was not enough to pay for their return.

They all longed to be reunited with their wives and children, Nurdinsyam said, quoting a letter from his nephew Djauhari.

"Our families cannot raise that sum of money," he added. (emb)