Rajkot: The fishermen from Gujarat, who were
recently released from Pakistani jails, today alleged that
they were apprehended by the Pakistan Marine Security Agency
from Indian waters.
Majority of the fishermen from Saurashtra region who
returned home claimed that PMSA abducted them from Indian
waters, said Porbandar Fishermen Association's general
secretary Manish Lodhari.
One hundred and seventy-nine fishermen were released from
Pakistani jails on January 7.
"The fishermen alleged that they were kidnapped by PMSA
even though they had not crossed the Indian waters," Lodhari
said.
While talking to mediapersons, a fisherman said that he
and 14 others were fishing about six km inside Indian waters
when PMSA kidnapped them.
Some fishermen also accused the Pakistani jail
authorities of inhuman treatment.
"We had to work for about 15 hours a day without
sufficient food," one of them claimed.
Some fishermen said that they had decided to quit the
fishing, deeming it unsafe even inside Indian waters.
Three hundred and seventy one Indian fishermen were still
lodged in Pakistani jails and 61 of them had completed the
prison terms, according to the released men.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 23:33