Tamil Nadu releases Rs.20 lakh to defend five fishermen

Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government Saturday said it has sent Rs.20 lakh to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka towards legal expenses to secure the release of five fishermen sentenced to death by a Lankan court.

The sum has been released on the orders of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, said a statement.

According to the statement steps are being taken to file the appeal against the death sentence in the Sri Lankan court Monday.

The five fishermen set out to fish from Rameswaram Nov 28, 2011, when they were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of possessing narcotics.

A Sri Lankan court recently sentenced the five fishermen to death in the case.