Warships to fetch fishermen

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The 11 Indonesian fishermen detained on the Indian island of Adaman since 1995 are soon to return home on KRI Patiunus and KRI Sultan Taha Syaifuddin. The warships will pick them up en route home from an exercise off Port Blair, India.

Antara quoted Capt. Muhammad Slamet of Sabang Naval Base as saying Wednesday the fishermen had been detained for trespassing.

The fishermen allegedly entered Indian waters illegally after running out of fuel.

Slamet said that six of the 11 fishermen, namely Yatim, Samsuar, Darlin, Djauhari, Mukhtaruddin and Buyung, had completed their prison terms.

The release of the other five, Darwin, Buyung Lukis, Salmi, Tarzan and Jalil, is still being negotiated.

Sabang Naval Base Commander Col. Fikri Samaf Guciano said Aceh fishermen often lost their way while navigating through Indian islands as most of their boats are not equipped with radios.