Ahmedabad : India: Eighty Indian fishermen who were imprisoned in Pakistan for allegedly fishing in that country’s waters were released on Thursday and arrived in Gujarat, India on Sunday, where they were reunited with their families for Diwali.
The fishermen had been held in a jail in Karachi, Pakistan for over three years. They were released by Pakistani authorities and handed over to a team of the Indian government at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab.
The fishermen were then taken to Veraval in Gujarat by train, where they were greeted by their families and friends. Many of the fishermen were overcome with emotion as they were finally able to return home after being away for so long.
“I am so happy to be home,” said one fisherman. “I have missed my family and friends so much. I am so grateful to the Indian government for getting us released.”
The release of the fishermen comes as a relief to their families, who have been campaigning for their release for years.
“I am so happy to have my husband back,” said the wife of one fisherman. “I have been worried sick about him for three years. I am so grateful to the Indian government for getting him released.”
The release of the fishermen is also a positive sign for relations between India and Pakistan. The two countries have a long history of border disputes, and the release of the fishermen could help to improve relations between the two countries.
Background on the Issue
India and Pakistan have disagreements over the alignment of the notional International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) at the Arabian Sea. Pakistan Maritime Security Agency arrests a few hundred Indian fishermen every year for alleged violation of its territorial waters. On the other hand, Indian agencies also arrest a few dozen Pakistani fishermen every year for allegedly crossing over to the Indian side of the IMBL.
As of 01 January 2023 this year, 654 Indian fishermen and 51 Indian civilians are in Pakistani jails. Similarly, there were 95 Pakistani fishermen and 339 Pakistani civilians in jails of India.
The release of the 80 Indian fishermen from Pakistan jail is a welcome development. It is a positive step towards improving relations between the two countries. The families of the fishermen are relieved to have their loved ones back home, and the fishermen themselves are grateful to the Indian government for getting them released.
