1,660 Indian fishermen jailed in Pakistan in 5 years

The Ministry while replying to a RTI query by a social worker and National Council Member of the Ruling BJP Om Prakash Sharma gave yearwise details of fishermen arrested and jailed in Pakistan. The Ministry communicated that in 2012, 250 were nabbed, in 2013 (349); 2014(434); 2015(366); and in 2016, 261 fishermen were arrested and jailed. The arrest and detention shows a decreasing trend possibly due to the changed relations between India and Pakistan it is stated. The figure which was the maximum at 434 in 2014 declined to 261 in 2016. In a related development the Member of Parliament from Palghar Chintaman Wanga (BJP) has taken up the issue of illegal arrest and detention of Indian fishermen in Pakistan jails with the ministry. Some prisoners have so far been released but not all. Wanga said that the innocent fishermen set out to sea for fishing and when they cross the Veraval unknowingly they step into the Pakistan territory and fall into the hands of the Pakistan police. There is no clear cut demarcation of the borders of India and Pakistan he commented which was absolutely necessary to avoid such arrests and harassment to the fishermen and their families he added.