At least 43 South Indians, including a 79-year-old man and six women, are languishing in Lankan jails for more than 8 years, according to a Chennai-based human rights group.

"There are 40 Tamils and 3 Malayalis now imprisoned in Lanka. They are behind the bars for allegedly trying to smuggle narcotics into the island nation. In addition to these people, there are many fishermen who were held by Lankan Navy. They are languishing in various jails in Sri Lanka without any legal support. Some of them have spent 15 years in jails," alleged Mr G Subramanaian, co-ordinator of organisation for protection of Indians' rights abroad (OPIRA).

Seventy nine-year-old Muthappa is the oldest of the lot. "Among women, there is a 75-year-old Kamakshi from Tamil Nadu who is also accused of narcotic smuggling," Mr Subramanian said. He said nearly 20 persons have been convicted for possession of narcotics.

"Many of them were forced to own up the crime since they did not have any other option. They can't get any legal help in that country. So what do you expect them to do? If they accept the crime, they will get only a life term. If they don't accept the crime and the prosecution proves the crime, they will get death penalty. In such situation the Indians are forced to own up the crime," he added. The rest are remand prisoners.

It was reported that OPIRA had been fighting for the release of a 16-year-old plus one student, Joseph Bath, from Ramanathapuram district, who was captured by Lankan navy after he went fishing on May 26. The boy, his brother and 21 others were caught by Sri Lankan navy men when they were fishing between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu. While 18 of them were released on June 4, others including Joseph were still detained by the Lankan navy for allegedly trying to smuggle some 'black powder'.

Source: Deccan Chronicle