An RTI query has revealed that in the past 10 years, at least 26 Indian fishermen have lost their lives while imprisoned in Pakistan jails. The most recent death occurred on September 5 this year, involving a fisherman from Gujarat, and his family is still waiting for the return of his body. Additionally, 10 fishermen currently imprisoned in Pakistan prisons are reported to be in poor health.
Data provided by the High Commission of India in Islamabad in response to an RTI query by Mumbai-based journalist and peace activist Jatin Desai stated currently 210 Indian fishermen are incarcerated in Pakistan on charges of violating territorial waters, after being arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).
Among them, 180 have completed their sentence and are awaiting release. Furthermore, 52 Indian fishermen have been in Pakistan jails for more than three years and another 130 for over two years. In May 2023, five fishermen from Palghar district were released.
Desai said the issue of financial assistance of Rs 300 per day to the families of arrested fishermen is still pending with Maharashtra government. He said according to Section (V) of the Bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, both govts have agreed to repatriate individuals within one month of confirming their nationality and completion of their sentences.
India and Pakistan have disputes over the alignment of the notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) at the Arabian Sea off Kutch coast in Gujarat. Therefore, Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) apprehends a few hundred fishermen every year for allegedly crossing over to the Pakistan side of the IMBL. Similarly, every year, a few dozen Pakistani fishermen are arrested by the Indian authorities for allegedly violating territorial waters of India.
Of late, it has been observed that it takes many weeks for mortal remains of fishermen to be repatriated from Pakistan. “In the case of the Gujarat fisherman who died in September, his nationality had already been verified. Yet his body has not been handed over to his family members a month after his death. This is a violation of human rights,” said Desai.
A senior fisheries officer in state government said: “The fisherman’s family reached out to us a few days ago, seeking information about his reported death in Pakistan jail. However, we have received no formal communication from the government of India.”
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