Chennai: PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna said on Thursday that the state govt was making efforts to bring the body of the fisherman, who was shot dead by pirates, from Saudi Arabia. The fisherman, P Maveeran from Mayiladuthurai district, was shot dead by suspected Iranian pirates on Aug 10 off the Saudi Arabian coast, while three other fishermen were injured in the attack and hospitalised in Saudi Arabia.Responding to a calling-attention motion moved by opposition leaders, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Aadhav said there was a delay in flying the body down to India due to the ongoing investigation there. “Mayiladuthurai district collector is making efforts to bring the injured fishermen as well as the body of Maveeran to India. Diplomatic efforts have begun and state fisheries secretary is coordinating with the external affairs ministry,” Aadhav said.Speaking on the motion, Palaniswami asked whether the state govt will provide financial aid to the families of Maveeran and the injured fishermen. Aadhav said chief minister C Joseph Vijay will take appropriate action on the issue.DMK MLA Senthil Selvan, PMK MLA C Sivakumar, CPI MLA T Ramachandran and CPM MLA R Chellasamy also moved the same calling-attention motion.
