Trespassing into Pakistani waters: 29 Indian fishermen held by maritime agency

Will be presented before the judicial magistrate for remand on Monday


Our Correspondent September 28, 2014

KARACHI:


Officials at Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) arrested around 29 Indian fishermen and confiscated their five boats on Saturday morning.


According to officials, the fishermen had entered the Pakistan’s territorial waters and were busy in fishing when MSA arrested them. After the arrest, the fishermen were shifted to Docks Police Station for legal formalities.

The duty officer at the police station told The Express Tribune that most of the fishermen, who belong to the Gujrat state of India, are teenagers and would be presented before the judicial magistrate for remand on Monday.

Arjun, Ramesh, Kanji, Barat, Raja were among others who have been arrested.

The MSA spokesman said the action was taken during the routine patrolling when these fishermen were found 100 nautical miles inside Pakistan waters.

According to Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a representative organisation of fishermen, at least 119 Indian fishermen have already been languishing in Malir Jail in Karachi.

Similarly, 200 Pakistani fishermen are in the custody of the Indian authorities in various jails of Gujrat state. “A few of those Pakistani fishermen were arrested 10 to 15 years ago, but Indian authorities are unwilling to release them,” PFF chairman Mohammad Ali Shah said adding that these fishermen have even completed their punishments, but to no avail.

“Pakistani fishermen are arrested soon after action against Indian fishermen in our territorial waters. Mostly these actions are taken in retaliation,” he said adding that situation has become worse as authorities of both the countries are adopting delaying tacks in handing over the bodies of those fishermen who die in the prisons.


Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ