M A I N   N E W S

Pak releases 362 Indian prisoners
PK Jaiswar
tribune news service

Amritsar, August 24
Pakistan released 362 Indian prisoners, including eight juveniles, against the backdrop of tensions between the two countries over firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

The prisoners, most of them fishermen, crossed over to Indian through the Attari-Wagah land route here on Saturday. Most were arrested by the Maritime Security Agency for crossing into Pakistani waters near the disputed Sir Creek.

All the prisoners have completed their jail terms ranging from six months to a year.

The emotional fishermen, who had been languishing in Malir and Landi jails in Pakistan, said there were about 97 other fishermen still languishing in Pakistan jails and many of them were ill.

They urged the Indian Government to initiate diplomatic steps for their early release.

They urged the governments to form a policy for early release of fishermen, as they accidentally violate the water boundaries.

"Pakistan and India were one country in the past, they should compromise with each other and live peacefully like brothers," said fisherman Kailash Nathu, 17, who was heading home after being arrested in January. Another fisherman, 30-year-old Shabbir Usman, said: "Pakistan and India should sign a treaty for not arresting innocent fishermen," he said,

“Fishermen go to sea only for their livelihood. It is next to impossible to differentiate Indian and Pakistani boundaries at sea. The governments of India and Pakistan should form a policy under which the fishermen should be released immediately after a formal probe instead of being put in jails. This would also help in improving bilateral relations,” said Ram Chander, a fisherman.

Babu Lal, another freed Indian prisoner, said around 100 fishermen were in Karachi’s Malir Jail and several of them were seriously ill.

“Proper medical aid is not available and their condition is worsening,” he said.

The fishermen also urged the government to give them some compensation as they had lost their boats after being arrested and had to start life afresh.

Officials of the Fisheries Department of Gujarat were also present at the joint check post to receive them. Pakistan’s goodwill gesture came at a time when tensions are running high between the two countries over firing along the LoC. Both sides have accused each other of violating the 2003 truce on the ceasefire line. Bilateral ties were hit after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops two weeks ago.

(With agency inputs) 

Many fishermen in Pakistan jails

* Most of the released are fishermen who were arrested by the Maritime Security Agency for crossing into Pakistani waters near the disputed Sir Creek

* The freed prisoners said about 97 fishermen were still in Pakistani jails and urged the government to work for the early release

* One freed prisoner said around 100 fishermen were in Karachi’s Malir Jail alone and several of them were seriously ill