Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have
arrested 36 Indian fishermen and seized 10 boats on charges of
illegally fishing in this country`s territorial waters.
The fishermen were held sometime ago but their arrest was
announced today as authorities had to complete their
interrogation and verification procedures, said a spokesman
for the Maritime Security Agency (MSA).
The fishermen were handed over to Docks Police in
Karachi yesterday, the spokesman said.
"It is the fifth seizure of Indian fishing boats during
the last 45 days," he said.
Last month, the MSA arrested a total of 94 Indian
fishermen and seized 21 boats.
India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen every
year on charges of violating the maritime boundary. Dozens of
fishermen have spent years in jail even after completing their
prison terms.
In recent months, both countries have taken steps to
speed up the release of the fishermen.
PTI
