Representative image of Indian fishermen after being detained in Pakistan waters | Photo source: Reuters
22 Indian fishermen released from Karachi Prison in Pakistan arrived at Gir Somnath, Gujarat on Tuesday (25 February 2025) and expressed happiness for being able to return to their country.
They also urged the government to speed up several other Indian fishermen who were struggling in prisons in neighboring countries.
While fishing near the marine border of the Arabian Sea in Gujarat from April 2021 to December 2022, Pakistan Marine Corps Security Agency was arrested between the Marine Security Agency near Gujarat. VK Gohel said about 195 fishermen are still struggling in the Pakistan prison, assistant director of fisheries.
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Of the 22 fishermen released, 18 were from Gujarat, three from the territory of neighboring coalition and the other from Uttar Pradesh.
The Gujarat government said in a statement that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel asked the Centre to release them.
Mr Gohel said fishermen arrived at Vadodara by train a few days ago after being handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. Mr Gohel said they arrived at Veraval in the Gir Somnath area by bus from Vadodara on Tuesday. Upon arrival at Vadodara, the fishermen expressed happiness for returning to the country.
Concern about other people still being imprisoned
They also expressed concern for several fishermen who are still hospitalized in Pakistan prisons and urged the government to speed up the release process.
“They have a disease and face problems with food. They have great difficulties,” said one of the released fishermen in conversation with a reporter from Vadodara.
Another fisherman tells his plight, saying he was caught by the Pakistan Marine Security Agency while fishing on the Gujarat coast three and a half years ago.
“Everyone who came back is sick”
“All the 22 people who returned were sick and there were more people there in jail. We asked the government to do everything possible to get them released quickly because there are many problems in the prison there,” he said.
Those returning sent a letter from Indian fishermen, sent in Pakistani prisons, expressing their pain and demanding a quick resolution of their plight from the government.
“We are 150 fishermen here. Two years ago, the Supreme Court of Pakistan released us, but we are still imprisoned. Almost all fishermen are mentally ill due to the tensions that cannot leave here.” Letter.
“We are sick and face breathing difficulties and skin diseases, but only 22 fishermen are released from here. Injustice is being done to the remaining 150 fishermen. Here, no one understands our situation.” Letter.
Of the 18 fishermen belonging to Gujarat, 14 are from Gir Somnath, three from Devbhoomi Dwarka and one from Rajkot.
On December 12, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said in a reply to Lok Sabha that a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014.
Of the 209 fishermen detained in Pakistan since 2021, 51 fishermen are in Pakistan prisons. There have been 130 fishermen since 2022; 9 fishermen since 2023; MEA said there have been 19 fishermen since 2024.
publishing – February 25, 2025 at 03:40 pm IST
