Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Monday assured the families of five fishermen who were sentenced to death by a Sri Lankan court that they will be freed through appropriate measures, Indian media reported.

The family members of P Emerson, R Wilson, P Augustus, J Langlet and K Prasath of Rameswaram called on Panneerselvam in Chennai yesterday. They apprised the Chief Minister about their plight and sought help.

After the meeting, the family members told waiting mediapersons that Panneerselam had assured them that the "five innocent fishermen will be freed through appropriate measures and channels."

On October 30, the Colombo High Court sentenced to death the five fishermen on charges of allegedly smuggling heroin into Sri Lanka. They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in November 2011.

India has categorically maintained that the five are innocent. Soon after the judgement, spokesperson of External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin said the government would appeal against the ruling. He also said that India is in touch with Lankan authorities on the issue.

The Colombo verdict outraged fishermen communities, the political parties and the civil society in Tamil Nadu. Protests were held by fishermen and political parties across the state and Ramanathapuram District was paralysed for two days owning to protests.