Ahmedabad: Pakistan Maritime Security
Agency (PMSA) has apprehended 17 Indian fishermen and seized
their boats from the international maritime border near Jakhau
town of Kutch district, secretary of the National Fish
Workers` Forum Manish Lodhari said Saturday.
PMSA yesterday intercepted seven Indian fishing boats in
the international waters, on which there were 34 fishermen,
Lodhari said.
PMSA allowed 17 fishermen, who were either too young or
too old, to return to India in one boat, he said.
However, six boats -- Raj Hans, Raj Dhan, Tulsi, Gaj
Raj, Hem Raj and Nayan Prem -- were seized and taken to
Karachi in Pakistan along with 17 fishermen, Lodhari said.
All the boats and the fishermen were from Porbandar area.
Day before yesterday, PMSA apprehended four Indian
fishermen with one boat. According to Porbandar Boat
Association president Hiralal Siyar, an estimated 476 boats of
Gujarati fishermen are in the custody of Pakistani
authorities.
He further said that over 250 fishermen from the state
are languishing in Pakistani jails, including the 17 who were
apprehended yesterday.
PTI
